“Surely no one could actually be this incompetent” – how social media reacted to the RFL’s choice for Leigh to host the Challenge Cup semi-finals

With the men’s Challenge Cup semi-final venue announced as the Leigh Sports Village, many fans took to social media to vent their frustrations. 

One Twitter user was shocked about the decision to say the least.

Sorry, for a minute there, I thought the RFL had just confirmed the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup were going to take place in *Leigh* https://t.co/wG7zx6KrC5

— ᴀᴀʀᴏɴ ʙᴏᴡᴇʀ (@AaronBower) May 12, 2021

One user aired their frustration at the RFL’s “flat cap stereotypes”.

Is it any wonder that Rugby League struggles to grow beyond its M62 corridor and flat cap stereotypes when the Challenge Cup semis (two of the biggest games in the Rugby League calendar) are played at Leigh? Those in power are killing the game and not even realising it.

— Michael Lavelle (@mikelavelle93) May 12, 2021

Another also bemoaned the lack of tickets available for each club.

Each of the Challenge Cup Semi Finalists will be given an initial allocation of approximately 600 tickets – the clubs will provide further details of the ballot required to allocate these tickets in the coming days. Good luck obtaining one because it sounds like you'll need it.

— The Game Caller 🗣🎙📻 (@TheGameCaller) May 12, 2021

One particular Twitter user also criticised the lack of thought for fans.

@TheRFL why not use a bigger ground? Host over 2 days? Fans have been out of grounds for months, so for a Final and 2 Semi-finals you offer 600 tickets per club! Absolute joke! No thought for the fans!

— Danny (@realdannycook) May 12, 2021

One person firmly went in on the RFL’s decision.

@TheRFL is this intentional now? Surely no one could actually be this incompetent

600 per team? Use a bigger ground or, probably more sensible in an attempt to not bring as many people from different regions together, don’t do a triple header!

Tear @TheRFL down and start again

— Matt Hopton (@Matthew_hopton) May 12, 2021

That view was mainstream amongst most supporters.

No fans in grounds for over 12 months, you’d think they’d want to maximise the amount of people who can attend a big event such as a semi final. Have the semis on separate days? Choose a bigger venue? Instead they choose Leigh. The most @TheRFL decision ever. An absolute shocker.

— Dave G (@ElmDag) May 12, 2021

The organisation of the semi-finals didn’t receive many good words.

2 years olds could organise this better

— Matthew 🍻 (@matthewxsutton) May 12, 2021

Another also highlighted the long distance that the Yorkshire sides – Castleford and Hull FC – would have to travel.

An absolute shambles. Why Leigh? Why a ground with such a small capacity? Why a ground which is so far for the Yorkshire teams to travel? Honestly no words anymore.

— David Cass (@DavidCass_) May 12, 2021

Another Twitter user made the organisation of the semi-finals sound rather simple.

Absolutely ridiculous

Pick 2 big football stadiums and get 10,000 to each game

Seriously…..

— Geoff Strettle (@SAINTSGUS) May 12, 2021

Someone went as far as to suggest a no confidence vote in the RFL!

https://twitter.com/danellis06460/status/1392486645602127874?s=20