WIGAN FACE MATCH-SWITCH PROBE

THE RFL will investigate the postponement and rearrangement of last night’s Super League clash between Widnes and Wigan.

The match should have taken place at Wigan’s DW Stadium (left), but was postponed by the Warriors on Thursday evening without consulting Widnes.

The Warriors said they acted after talks with Wigan Athletic about the state of the pitch at the ground they share and the football club’s home game with Nottingham Forest today. The RFL then became involved and after talks between the clubs, the game was rearranged for last night – but switched to the Vikings’ Halton Stadium – less than nine hours before kick-off.

The original fixture is now set to be played at Wigan on July 2.

Wigan have paid compensation to Widnes and ticket prices were reduced.

But fans of both teams were unhappy. They did not know if the game was taking place, or where, until just before midday yesterday.

The RFL will probe whether Wigan breached operational rules in postponing the match without consultation with the relevant parties.

Widnes chief executive James Rule said: “This has been a difficult period for everybody, but it wasn’t something we could have foreseen.

“We’ve tried to do what’s best for our club, the supporters and the wider game by ensuring this fixture could be facilitated.”