Leigh Leopards owner Derek Beaumont calls for Super League rule change

Leigh Leopards owner Derek Beaumont has called for the introduction of a ‘Captain’s Challenge’ in Super League.

The controversial owner made the comments in an interview with the club’s media team.

It comes after the outspoken owner has called out a number of decisions by referees in Super League this season.

When asked if he would want a Captain’s Challenge in Super League, Bemount responded with the below.

“One million precent (I back it). I’m pretty certain you will see that from next year and I think the intention was to actually have it this year with every game on Sky and having a video referee at every game,” He told Leopards TV.

“But I think there were some concerns around the number of cameras and angles to be able to fully look at all angles of the incident.

“With a captain’s call, it can be called from anywhere on the field. For me, I would still have done it anyway and if the footage then proved to be inconclusive, you would stick with the on-field call. It’s as simple as that.”

His comments come shortly after video footage was revealed, suggesting that a knock-on was missed by officials before a try in their narrow 16-14 defeat to Warrington Wolves.

Credit: Imago Images

He continued: “I think it is massively important for the referees and it would help them too. They don’t get things wrong on purpose, they make mistakes like all of us, they give what they see.

“They can’t always see what players might have seen from where they are and the touch judges might not have seen either. They are never going to be perfect.

“I think the rule helps them become perfect. You can use them five, six or seven times a game if you keep getting it right. I don’t see any disadvantage against it.”

This year, multiple camera angles are available for every game, due to the historic new deal with Sky Sports that every single game would be broadcast or streamed across their TV channels and online platforms.

Beaumont has also caused controversy this year after publicly blasting his social media team on X (formerly Twitter).

Leigh Leopards face a tough fixture this weekend, as they host a Catalans Dragons side that are currently top of the league.