RFL and politicians unite over “scandal” that no rugby league player has been knighted

The RFL and a group of politicians have called for a rugby league player to finally be knighted, labelling the issue as a “scandal”.

That was the word that MP David Baines, the chair of the cross-party parliamentary rugby league group, used to describe the fact that no player from our great sport has ever been knighted.

Recently, Lisa Nandy, the MP for Wigan the minister for Culture, Media and Sport called for that to change as she suggested Wigan hero Billy Boston as the man who should first receive the honour.

Now, a group of MPs in support of rugby league and the sport’s governing body have raised the issue once again with the King’s Birthday Honours list just around the corner.

Since the establishment of the sport in 1895, no player has been recognised with a knighthood despite countless stars from other sports earning the accolade, leaving our game among the oldest professional sports not to receive such an honour.

MPs unite to call for rugby league to receive a knighthood

The RFL were among those to call for that to change, with a spokesperson stating: “It is surprising and disappointing that the relevant authorities have still not deemed anyone worthy of a knighthood or damehood for their services to rugby league.”

Sir Lindsay Hoyle, former RFL President and the Speaker of the House of Commons, lent his voice to the argument as he stated that it “cannot be right” that rugby league goes unrecognised.

David Baines, the MP for St Helens North, leads a parliamentary group supporting the sport and he labelled it a “scandal” whilst suggesting that class came into the lack of honours.

He told the BBC: “This, I suspect, is because they come from working class backgrounds, didn’t go to the right schools, and didn’t mix in the right social circles.

“Well enough is enough. It’s 2025, and myself and other MPs are clear it’s time for things to change.”

Hoyle also said: “Rugby league has a long and proud history and is littered with examples of players who have excelled in the sport and inspired future generations to play the game.

“I want to see rugby league given the recognition it deserves and hope this will be addressed in the near future.”

Among those with very strong cases for a knighthood are Kevin Sinfield, who has been handed an MBE, CBE and OBE, but not yet a knighthood.