BATEMAN FEARS FOR FUTURE AS NRL SHUTS DOWN INDEFINITELY
DESPAIR FOR GREAT BRITAIN STAR
JOHN BATEMAN has revealed his coronavirus concerns as the NRL warned of “catastrophic” consequences after suspending the season.
Last weekend’s fixtures were held behind closed doors in Australia in a bid to keep broadcasters happy. But bosses put the competition on hold indefinitely yesterday after medical advice said it was no longer safe for players.
ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys warned: “It’s catastrophic. It’s probably the biggest challenge the game will ever face financially.”
It’s left players fearing for their futures and has rocked
Bateman – and the eight other English NRL players.
Great Britain star Bateman (right), who plays for Canberra Raiders, said: “It makes you worry because we’re only human. Nobody knows what’s going to happen and we’ve all got families and mortgages.”
Bateman’s 10-year-old daughter Millie and five other members of his family were due to fly to Australia to spend Easter with him.
The trip has been cancelled, with Australia shutting its borders, and 26-year-old Bateman said: “It’s scary not knowing when I’m going to see them again.
“In times like these you want your family around you. But I realise that other people are losing family members so we’ve just got to cope and get through this. People’s health is the most important thing.”
Raiders will meet their players today to outline what will happen next and V’landys said: “Rugby league will survive in some way but I can’t guarantee it will be the same way.”