Clubs in talks over restarting League 1 and Championship
REPRESENTATIVES from clubs in the Betfred Championship and League 1 have formed two working groups designed to explore the potential issues surrounding the resumption of professional rugby league below Super League.
It is widely expected the top flight will be in a position to return to action in July, with matches taking place behind closed doors and host broadcaster Sky Sports potentially opting to show additional matches over and above the existing contract.
But the Championship and League 1 do not have a broadcast deal and with clubs reliant on the matchday revenues brought in by attending fans, the situation is very different to Super League.
Following a remote meeting of the clubs and RFL executives, the working groups will now explore two key elements of the potential resumption.
One will focus on the costs and logistics of matches being staged behind closed doors in a way that is suitable for broadcast.
Under the government’s latest guidance, the Covid-19 Recovery Strategy, that would be acceptable from June 1 onwards. The document states that cultural and sporting events will be permitted ‘to take place behind closed-doors for broadcast, while avoiding the risk of large-scale social contact’.
The other group will consider alternative revenue streams that could possibly be generated in an effort to offset some of the costs related to broadcasting the fixtures.
Prior to the decision to form the working groups, the clubs received updates from the RFL regarding the government funding provided to the sport to help clubs through the Covid-19 pandemic announced earlier this month, as well as information relating to the extension of the Coronavirus Jobs Retention Scheme and the latest guidance from UK Sport and medical officers regarding the resumption of training and competitive fixtures.
“The meeting gave us the chance to update the clubs, and also for the clubs to share their views with us,” explained RFL chief executive Ralph Rimmer. “Playing matches behind closed doors, and before that the return to training that would be necessary, is clearly a complex option for all levels of our sport - and any decisions will have an obvious implication on the structure of the competitions, and relationships between our different competitions.
“Decisions regarding promotion and relegation will be made by the RFL Board.
“Setting up these working groups will give the Betfred Championship and League 1 clubs the opportunities to address those considerations further. We also maintain regular dialogue with players and their representatives, and our broadcast and other commercial partners, as we remain focused on finding the best solution.”
Super League clubs also held a remote meeting yesterday, with discussions believed to have centred on when players will be permitted to train together again and if the salary cap should be lowered to assist clubs struggling financially.
Decisions regarding promotion and relegation will be made by the RFL board Ralph Rimmer