Super League braces itself for ‘difficult times’ in fight for its very future

Although most sports had come to a halt due to the pandemic, rugby league managed to play up to the weekend but that ended yesterday when it was agreed to suspend the fixture list at all levels of the game until April 3.

The announcement, which followed the Government clampdown on social contact and mass gatherings, came after a six-hour meeting of Super League clubs in Huddersfield.

It was made in a joint-statement by the competition’s executive chairman Robert Elstone and Rugby Football League chief executive Ralph Rimmer.

But Pearson told The Yorkshire Post: “The Government are saying we can’t play in front of crowds so if they have taken that decision they need to protect the sport now as well.

“We’re trusting in our Executive and Ralph Rimmer, in particular, who is doing a great job in the circumstances in trying to put our case to the Government to support the game.

“If we can’t play in front of crowds, if that goes on for a number of weeks, Super League will go out of existence, it’s as simple as that.

“We’re reliant on our broadcast partners – and we have done for many years – to support us through this.

“They’ve done the sport proud in the past and I’m sure they’ll continue to do so.

“But without their support and the government’s support on a higher level, we face difficult times.”

Super League rejected the idea of playing matches behind closed doors for television.

Pearson added: “I think the Government are itching that way – to limited crowd viewing.

“And once they pull the trigger on that they have to understand – and I’m sure they do – the implications to every sport they do that to.

“But myself and the (Hull chief) executive are focused on ensuring that Hull FC comes out of this process intact and that Super League is still around for us all to enjoy.

“We just need to make sure the game is secured and fight hard for our share of whatever is going around because Premier League perhaps doesn’t need it (money) as much but the EFL (English Football League) definitely does and other sports as well.

“So we have to make sure for everyone’s sake that Super League is still around when we come out of this crisis.”

There is no certainty that there will be a return to action after April 3 and the governing bodies say they will assess the season’s structure and fixture rescheduling over the next three weeks.

Hull have seen Thursday’s televised game at Huddersfield Giants and next Friday’s home fixture against Salford Red Devils postponed.

Clubs rely heavily on matchday income and if the sanctions are not lifted, it is easy to see why all clubs will fear the worst, especially those in the Championship and League 1.

“Our sponsors and fans of the club are all even more important now,” added Pearson, who took over Hull in 2011.

“We all have to really stick together as these are now unprecedented times. They are dangerous waters. And everyone’s in the same position aren’t they?

“Every club in Super League needs that support; it’s not a sport that can survive like Premier League can do for months and years on end.

“In Super League, we are literally just a couple of months away from being in difficulties. That’s the nature of the game.”

Asked if it is likely players will be asked to take a pay cut if things continue, he replied: “We haven’t entered into that conversation at all.

“At this moment in time we’re trying to make sure we get the balance right between making sure everyone is safe and making sure the club is safe.”

Rimmer said: “I don’t think we can deny there is a threat to many of the clubs.

“All of them have different business models but they are based upon them having a certain amount of home games.

“There’s a threat, we recognise it but there’s a bigger picture – there is a threat to the nation’s health – and we all have to play our part in that.

“Everything interlinks and that’s why it’s absolutely vital that the game works together to find a collective solution.”

As the emergency plans continue, Elstone said. “I think all clubs are facing with some challenging financial issues to deal with over the next few months.

“Our job is to support them as best we can and there was some dialogue today about how we might do that.”

On the subject of playing behind closed doors, he said: “We discussed the pros and cons of that.

“While it’s a consideration and perhaps something the broadcasters might wish us to do, the reality is financial implications.

“And given the number of squads being affected by this, the likelihood of us being able to do that is looking slimmer and slimmer all the time.

“Sky are aware of that. They’ve seen it in other sports that, while it may be a good thing to try and do, there is a financial implication.”