Another own goal by the RFL

[Mike]

So I suspect Les Cats are governed entirely by SL rules so English players would indeed be classed as quota players for them by the RFL.

Dave

I think this is the point - Les Cats play under SL rules, so their players should be counted as SL-federation trained. Its a little inconsistent to include Les Cats in SL in order to improve the competitiveness of French RL and then restrict the experience their players can gain by creating regulations that help limit them to only one SL side.

I would include Les Cats trained players (and in this you would have to include all french players trained in France before the entry of Les Cats into SL) in the non-quota positions.

On the other hand, all Qunis have to do is threaten to challenge this and the RFL will have to cave in as they did for Bradford - perhaps they want rid.

[DaveO]

So I suspect Les Cats are governed entirely by SL rules so English players would indeed be classed as quota players for them by the RFL.

I think this is the point - Les Cats play under SL rules, so their players should be counted as SL-federation trained.

Why does that follow?

It all depends on what federation trained really means. For England if it means trained by a club in the UK (i.e. a member of the UK RFL) then players who were trained by clubs belonging to the French RFL don't qualify.

Equally British players trained in the UK would count as quota players in France for the same reason.

It's the same SL rule that is being consistently applied. It depends what country you are in as to what it actually means!

Dave

[Lil Feka's Dad]

I’ve posted here before detailing my objections to the RFL’s racist policies. There are those who support these policies from a Machiavellian perspective, and in this wonderful democracy, that is their right. Personally I believe they are misguided, as is my right.

However, as I have previously stated, regardless of whether you agree or disagree with the directive of the RFL, it cannot be enforced as it contravenes EU law. As inconvenient as this may be to the RFL, the fact remains that EU law carries a little more weight than the RFL.

[mike binder]

Rinaldi is going to be released because the RFL have decreed that French players will now be counted on the quota in the same way that Aussies are:

http://www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague ... quins.html

So basically any surplus players that either come through the ranks at les cats (who are big fans of having Aussie players as they are immune to quota rules) will now have to find a SL club that is prepared to give them a quota spot - or else play in the lower leagues.

Surely the rules should have been extended to include players from France?

I am not an expansionist by any means - however it seems to go against the RFL's policy if they are going to make young French players count on the quota if they are not playing for les cats!

its a european super league isnt it????

[Mike]

So I suspect Les Cats are governed entirely by SL rules so English players would indeed be classed as quota players for them by the RFL.

I think this is the point - Les Cats play under SL rules, so their players should be counted as SL-federation trained.

Why does that follow?

Because UK and France have teams in the same competition - there should be no restriction on players only being allowed to play for certain clubs within a single competition. The rules should be competition wide - and in this case it means the RFL must make no distinction between French and UK clubs - they are SL clubs.

Thats why it follows.

[DaveO]

I think this is the point - Les Cats play under SL rules, so their players should be counted as SL-federation trained.

Why does that follow?

Because UK and France have teams in the same competition - there should be no restriction on players only being allowed to play for certain clubs within a single competition. The rules should be competition wide - and in this case it means the RFL must make no distinction between French and UK clubs - they are SL clubs.

Thats why it follows.

But it doesn't. The rules of the one competition state quite clearly what a federation trained player means. We could if we wanted invite the NZ Warriors to leave the NRL and play in SL. If we did any player who learned the game playing for the NZ warriors would be classed as trained by the NZ federation. I just don't see the problem.

It's a rule that is competition wide as it stands and is what Harrison Hansen is classed as home gown amd Rinaldi isn't.

Dave

[DaveO]

I’ve posted here before detailing my objections to the RFL’s racist policies. There are those who support these policies from a Machiavellian perspective, and in this wonderful democracy, that is their right. Personally I believe they are misguided, as is my right.

They are not racist policies. Race has nothing to do with it. It is where you are trained regardless of race that counts.

Harrison Hansen is the proof. He has a kiwi passport, plays for Samoa (or hopes to in the world cup) but as he was brought through our academy his race is not preventing him from being classed as home grown.

You cannot point to a single player who is denied home grown or federation status based on their race.

TL is classed as federation trained and several other players who have played the majority of their junior RL here have been classified the same way - regardless of race.

However, as I have previously stated, regardless of whether you agree or disagree with the directive of the RFL, it cannot be enforced as it contravenes EU law. As inconvenient as this may be to the RFL, the fact remains that EU law carries a little more weight than the RFL.

And yet Rinaldi has accepted the RFL's rules. The point you seem to have missed is the rules do not prevent anyone playing in the SL who is an EC citizen. Clubs can sign who they like but they have agreed a self imposed limit on what are classed as quota players.

As an analogy there are age discrimination laws in this country but they are worthless as other reasons can be cited for not employing an older person. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out a defence against the likes of Rinaldi challenging these rules would be simply we found a better player.

Dave

[pedro]

Have to disagree with you on this one Dave. What you say would be right in my eyes if a French team was not in SL but the fact that the RFL included them in SL should make French players eligable.