TEAMS VOTE TO END SEASON NOW
IT is looking increasingly likely the 2020 Betfred Super League season will extend well past the planned Grand Final at Old Trafford in October.
The sport’s showpiece finale is traditionally during Premier League football’s international break, ensuring the home of United is available to host the fixture.
However, there is a growing feeling among clubs that in order to ensure a full season of fixtures is fulfilled - and with a view to fans being permitted entry to watch later in the year - the season will need to be extended.
One issue that will likely become prevalent is that players’ contracts traditionally run until the end of November, meaning some clubs could be left in limbo if fixtures are planned beyond that date.
In that instance, it is expected a game-wide agreement would need to be implemented to sort out the problem.
Otherwise, players such as Salford’s Niall Evalds, who has agreed a deal with Castleford Tigers to begin when his current contract expires in November, could potentially switch clubs with fixtures still remaining to be played.
Following a remote meeting of representatives from the 12 clubs in the top flight, Super League CEO Robert Elstone issued a statement in which he admitted matches are likely to be switched to later in the year.
“The health of the public remains our number one priority,” said Elstone. “But we welcome the positive messages from the government regarding the resumption of sport. Clearly, this is an important first step in getting us back playing again - but this is also the first step in a complex process that will require more of the game-wide collaboration evident to date, as we look to find solutions, and deal with uncertainties.
“We share with our fans, players, broadcast and commercial partners the desire to get back on the field as soon as possible, in line with government advice on protecting everyone involved with our sport and the wider community we serve.
“Potential season start dates are all being considered as part of the extensive work going into fixtures scheduling and, whilst health remains paramount, we are committed to exploring all opportunities to deliver live rugby league in front of crowds.”
As with clubs from the Championship and League 1, a group of nominated Super League sides have been tasked with exploring the possible scenarios and potential issues surrounding the resumption of the sport in this country.
Australia’s NRL competition is set to restart on May 28, with Sky Sports announcing it will broadcast all eight fixtures that weekend.
The sport’s host broadcaster typically carries two or three matches from the southern hemisphere competition each week, but in the absence of live sport in this country, will show the full round of fixtures.