Wakefield Trinity given hefty punishment for ‘breach’ of RFL rules

Wakefield Trinity have been fined £10,000 (£6,000 suspended) following a breach of RFL Operational Rules. 

The fine relates to the Boxing Day (26 December 2021) match against Leeds Rhinos, and the club’s failure to follow RFL Covid-19 policy and medical standards in advance of the fixture. Trinity had reported five possible Covid cases several days prior to the match, of which three were confirmed as positives on 24 December. However, the club subsequently failed to provide additional information required by the RFL’s Multiple Case Group to determine whether the fixture could go ahead.

Wakefield Trinity accepted that required information had not been provided to the Multiple Case Group, but stated in mitigation that none of the individuals who played against Leeds had tested positive for Covid-19.

The suspended amount of £6,000 will remain in place until the end of the end of the 2023 season.

On the field, meanwhile, Trinity take on St Helens away on Friday night looking for their first victory of the year after tough, narrow defeats to Hull FC in round one and Catalans Dragons in round two.