RFL threaten rugby league club with ‘sanctions’ over ‘player strike’

A rugby league club have been warned by the RFL that they could face sanctions if they fail to fulfil their remaining fixtures this season.

Minutes after a tight victory over Doncaster at the weekend, then-head coach Jonty Gorley, in a post-match interview with BBC Radio Cumbria, announced that he was stepping down from his role at Whitehaven.

He was already set to leave the club at the end of the year, but he said that he “just can’t stay at the club now” due to recent internal developments, which he didn’t specify.

They have confirmed that St Helens icon Kyle Amor is their new head coach, but, as reported by Yorkshire Live – the club’s players are refusing to fulfil the club’s remaining fixtures in the current campaign, while Kyle Amor has revealed that he joined the club to find most of the backroom staff had departed.

RFL threaten rugby league club with ‘sanctions’ over player strike

If everything mentioned before wasn’t enough, on top of their financial difficulties, Whitehaven are now being threatened with sanctions by the RFL.

That’s per Aaron Bower, who is reporting that the club have been contacted by the sport’s governing body who are demanding an explanation over the player strike.

If they can’t play their remaining RFL Championship fixtures, they could face ‘severe sanctions’, on top of likely being relegated despite the important victory over Doncaster.

The RFL told Love Rugby League: “Having become aware of the latest developments at Whitehaven through the media on Tuesday evening, the RFL has contacted relevant officials seeking an explanation, and impressed on the club their obligation to fulfil fixtures – and the severe sanctions for failing to do so.

“We expect to be kept updated today, and Rugby League Cares have been in contact with the playing group to offer their support.”