Officially confirmed cup QF saturday may 12 ko 230pm

[BriH]

Challenge Cup Game : Wigan vs St Helens

Wigan Rugby League Club Ltd were instructed yesterday by the Board of Directors of the Rugby Football League Governing Body ("RFL") that Wigan must play their quarter-final match against St Helens on Saturday afternoon 12th May at 2:30pm at another stadium if the DW Stadium is not available.

This is in spite of the fact that Wigan informed the RFL formally on 6 October 2011 in writing in Wigan's pre-season "dates-to-avoid" submission to the RFL 2012 Season Fixtures Planning Department that the DW would not be available on Saturday/Sunday 12/13 May because of Wigan Athletic's final Premiership home game on Sunday 13th May.

Immediately following the quarter-final draw on Tuesday 1st May when the position became clear to the RFL which Wigan had pre-advised as a potential problem in October 2011, Wigan offered to play the quarter-final game on the evening of Friday 11th or Monday 14th May at the DW Stadium.

Wigan Warriors refused to jeopardise in any way Wigan Athletic's crucial last Premiership game of the Season against Wolverhampton Wanderers by a request for Warriors to play at the DW Stadium the day before such an important match.

Wigan Chairman and Owner, Ian Lenagan, commented:

"We feel let down by the RFL that they are prepared to countenance the loss of integrity of their famous Challenge Cup competition by removing home advantage from the Challenge Cup holders in a critical and closely competitive quarter-final in order to fit in with preferred television schedules when valid and practical alternative days and times were available."

"We also feel that the RFL scheduling of Challenge Cup rounds has been poor with three rounds in 30 days followed by 9 weeks before the semi-finals. More importantly, no account seems to have been taken of the clear conflicts with football-shared stadiums on the weekend of the 13th May with immovable Premier League final matches taking place then plus League 1 playoffs. Wigan, Hull and Huddersfield all share stadiums with football clubs and were possible to be in the quarter-finals albeit Wigan are the only Premier League club."

"Wigan Warriors clearly indicated in their pre-season requested-dates-to-avoid submission to the RFL Operations Department on 6th October 2011 that the Wigan Athletic game on Sunday 13th May should be avoided and it is clearly known by the RFL that Wigan Warriors also cannot play the day before a Premiership match. "

"In spite of these potential conflicts, the Challenge Cup quarter-final was scheduled for that Saturday and Sunday - precisely the dates requested to be avoided by Wigan before the fixtures were established by the RFL."

"We feel that Wigan and the integrity of the Challenge Cup competition have been penalised unfairly by this instruction to play away from home."

Whilst hoping that the integrity of the competition would prevail, Wigan identified and negotiated at short notice with stadiums in Leigh, Bolton and Warrington all of whom were extremely helpful - as have been the St Helens club throughout this last difficult 3 days.

Before announcing yesterday the enforced away venue for the Warriors tie, Ian Lenagan discussed again the situation with Dave Whelan since both men are passionate and active supporters of anything Wigan. Even though they both believe it completely wrong that the town of Wigan should be put in this position, the decision was made in these highly exceptional circumstances to attempt to allow the quarter-final tie to be played at the DW Stadium the day prior to the Wigan Athletic game following receipt of a favourable weather forecast. Premier League expressed reservations were answered by Dave Whelan's assurances that the pitch was in good condition and that special arrangements were in place in these exceptional circumstances to ensure the pitch remained so.

Dave Whelan commented:

"It is scandalous to be put in this position but we cannot see Wigan Warriors playing such a game away from home. All Wigan folk, whether primarily rugby or football supporters, come together in wishing to see two such important games shown from the Wigan stadium across the country on successive days next weekend."

Ian Lenagan commented:

"It is excellent to be able to demonstrate publicly the togetherness and strength of football and rugby in Wigan. Having watched personally the Wigan Athletic games against Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United and Fulham recently, one can touch and feel the respect for the performances of Wigan Athletic as well as Wigan Warriors. I now look forward to great crowds watching both teams together that weekend at the DW Stadium."

http://www.wiganwarriors.com/WContent.a ... &type=news

[url]http://www.wiganwarriors.com/WContent.a ... &type=news[\url]

I've been saying for a long time that the Super League Chairman should stand up to RFL. Well said IL and DW.

[josie andrews]

Well well well.

It does appear (yet again) that moronic stupidity shown by the incumbent RFL knows few bounds.

As all ready stated after the Hull doping scandal - were the RFL had to deny any implications that serving officers were "aware" of such goings on. Then the poaching of a Hull Junior which appears to have been organised by the ex-Hull chairwoman to the benefit of her husbands current team (prior to her leaving), the gifting of the Super League sponsorship for the sakes of a few trucks with paintings upon them (but losing clubs thousands in the process) - then this. One really does wonder how much more ineptitude the RFL can really show??

It's time for a few others to follow Richard Lewis out the door and that's a fact!

The whole lot of the RFL should resign & completely new people should take over, (not anyone involved with any of the clubs, they are a total disgrace to our sport.

Regarding the Stobart Trucks Sponsorship freebie, I've driven down to motorways twice today & seen TEN Stobart lorries. NOT ONE had a RL team on it!!!

[butt monkey]

Well well well.

It does appear (yet again) that moronic stupidity shown by the incumbent RFL knows few bounds.

As all ready stated after the Hull doping scandal - were the RFL had to deny any implications that serving officers were "aware" of such goings on. Then the poaching of a Hull Junior which appears to have been organised by the ex-Hull chairwoman to the benefit of her husbands current team (prior to her leaving), the gifting of the Super League sponsorship for the sakes of a few trucks with paintings upon them (but losing clubs thousands in the process) - then this. One really does wonder how much more ineptitude the RFL can really show??

It's time for a few others to follow Richard Lewis out the door and that's a fact!

[butt monkey]

and to make matters worse.... I cannot for the life of me, not get the image of a certain Hetherington having a wry smile over everything that has gone on with this whole fiasco of a draw

[OAMJSONA]

On the negative side, why did they not announce earlier that this was the reason for the delay. Majority of people (including myself) layed the blame firmly at DW!

I laid the blame on DW and this is the first time i will have apologised to him - sorry DW

[shaunedwardsfanclub]

The club chairmen should send out a message by having a vote of no confidence in them!

[shaunedwardsfanclub]

and to make matters worse.... I cannot for the life of me, not get the image of a certain Hetherington having a wry smile over everything that has gone on with this whole fiasco of a draw

He didn't have a wry smile at Wembley last year and I would love to see a repittitin of that day.

As for Dave Whelan, I have been one of his biggest critics but I applaud him for his stance on this matter. DW is like me in one way, if Wigan had a tiddly winks team I would back them 100%.

[josie andrews]

The club chairmen should send out a message by having a vote of no confidence in them!

Well I've had no confidence in them for the past ten years at least

[josie andrews]

You were all blaming Mr Whelan before the facts emerged, when in fact it was the total & complete idiots that ru(i)n our game.
I could say a lot worse but then I may get a fine from the numpties

Well done to Mr Lenegan & Mr Whelan for digging their heels in against the RFL :eusa2: :eusa2:

[ancientnloyal]

So let me get this right... Is it now confirmed?