Minister argues against government intervention in rugby league despite Salford Red Devils’ struggles

A government minister has argued against government regulation of rugby league despite the struggles of clubs such as Salford Red Devils and many others.

It was put to Wigan MP Lisa Nandy, who is the Minister for Sport, Culture and Media that rugby league should have an independent regulator, such as the one that has recently been created in football.

Appearing on The Bench Podcast with Jenna Brooks and Jon Wilkin, Nandy was asked about the need for such a regulator in rugby league and she argued against it.

Co-host Brooks explained that she would like to see a body or person appointed to such a role to ensure issues such as those at Salford Red Devils, and the string of lower league teams who have previously gone bust, have more support and ultimately so future issues don’t happen.

Nandy responded by explaining why an independent regulator for football was introduced, stating: “It really came from the fact that football couldn’t get its own house in order.

“The leagues couldn’t agree on a fair financial flow throughout the game. The Premier League goes from strength to strength but the foundations beneath have really struggled.

“It’s a very light touch regulator that is designed to incentivise football to come to its own agreement, but if it can’t, then there is a safeguard for the fans.”

Rugby League doesn’t need a regulator, claims sports minister

Having outlined what the regulator in football does, Nandy argued that rugby league doesn’t need one but conceded that she does want fans at the heart of the sport.

The minister explained: “I’m really keen that we make sure that rugby is financially sustainable and that clubs are well run with fans at the centre of the game, because they are the game, but at the moment I haven’t heard any case as to why you would need to establish a regulator in the same way as football.

“It’s a big step for government to set up a system that allows someone to step in. We haven’t taken (the decision) lightly but I would need to be really convinced that the problems were so acute that we need to step in.”

The problems at Salford Red Devils are daunting and have been slowly growing over the years, however, the RFL approved the current owners earlier this year.

Whilst Nandy didn’t want to see government intervention, she did call for protection of clubs and fans in regards financial sustainabilty, using Wigan owner Mike Danson as a perfect example of someone who puts the fans first.

Nandy added: “On the deeper issue about financial sustainability and making sure that we protect clubs and fans, you’ve got no quibble from me on that.

“Mike Danson, the Wigan owner, talks about being a custodian of the club and he is because these are things that are handed down through generations and belong to us all in common.

“It matters, it’s part of our inheritance so you won’t get any quarrel from me that government has a role to play and that we protect these clubs and protect the fans.”