RFL chief Rimmer looking for ‘best solution’ to league lockdown

TWO working groups have been established to help Championship and League 1 clubs consider the issues surrounding the possible resumption of play – and the Rugby Football League has clarified its position on promotion and relegation.

A remote meeting of the governing body and clubs from the two competitions yesterday has helped tentatively plot a way forward as the sport – in lockdown since mid-March – looks at ways of successfully emerging from the crisis.

One of the working groups will consider the costs and logistics surrounding matches taking place behind closed doors for broadcast while the other will look at revenue opportunities to offset some of those costs.

Both will be chaired by the RFL. The Government announced earlier this week they would permit “cultural and sporting events to take place behind closed-doors for broadcast, while avoiding the risk of large-scale social contact” to begin “no earlier than 1 June.”

Although some Championship clubs – especially those chasing promotion to Super League – expressed a desire to get the season up and running as soon as safely possible, others are believed to favour the present campaign being cancelled completely to help outfits struggling with the financial impact of the pandemic.

The decision to form the working groups followed updates from the RFL to clubs on the Government funding – a £16m loan – secured for the sport earlier this month, and on the extension of the Coronavirus Jobs Retention Scheme.

There was also a detailed summary of latest discussions between UK Sport and medical officers relating to resumption of training and competition.

RFL chief executive Ralph Rimmer said: “The meeting gave us the chance to update the clubs, and also for the clubs to share their views with us.

“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.

“These groups will give the Betfred Championship and League 1 clubs the opportunities to address those considerations further. We remain focused on finding the best solution for the good of the sport.”