‘ Twelfth club’ panel will have to declare their interests

ALL MEMBERS of the panel deciding which club is admitted to Super League in 2021 will be required to disclose any “potentially relevant matters” – which could mean the RFL might not get a say on Bradford Bulls’ bid.

The process is underway to see which Championship club will replace Toronto Wolfpack after the Canadian outfit – who pulled out in July due to financial issues – failed in its efforts to reclaim its top- flight place next term.

A seven- strong panel, consisting of three members from each of Super League and the RFL and chaired by Lord Jonathan Caine, will assess applications based against set criteria.

Bulls, Featherstone Rovers, York City Knights, Leigh Centurions, Toulouse and London Broncos all want the 12th spot.

Former World Club champions Bradford, of course, endured countless financial problems including three administrations inside five years before being put into liquidation in 2017.

The RFL purchased the lease of their Odsal ground in 2011 to help preserve rugby league in the city while temporarily alleviating the club’s monetary issues.

Nevertheless, Bulls moved out of Odsal this season – groundsharing instead with Dewsbury Rams – and cited the crippling costs of operating the decaying stadium as a reason.

Odsal remaining empty has cost the RFL around £ 200,000 and both parties hope a deal can be concluded to see the Bulls head home in 2021.

For their chances of a Super League return – they were relegated in 2014 – Bradford need to be back in their traditional ground while the RFL will also be looking to see their asset pay.

Clearly, this could result in a conflict of interest for the RFL members on the panel – director Karen Moorhouse, chief operating officer Tony Sutton and chief on- field officer Dave Rotheram.

The Yorkshire Post asked the RFL if the trio will sit in when the panel discusses Bradford’s application or be omitted due to a conflict of interest. An RFL spokesman replied: “All members of the panel will be required to disclose any potentially relevant matters, and the appointment of Lord Caine as independent chair further ensures the process is run in a fair and impartial way.”

Meanwhile, Catalans Dragons duo Michael McIlorum and Joel Tomkins could both be banned for eight games or more.

Hooker McIlorum has already been ruled out of Friday’s semifinal against St Helens after being given a one- match suspension for a high tackle on Brad Dwyer in last week’s win over Lees Rhinos.

But he could also miss a large part of 2021 after picking hooker Dwyer up off the ground while he was still injured.

That has brought a charge of “other contrary behaviour” from the RFL’s match review panel, a Grade F offence. The same charge has been levelled at Tomkins, who appeared to make “inappropriate” contact with Leeds fullback Richie Myler later in the game, and both players must now appear before a tribunal.