Catalans may play behind closed doors

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josie andrews
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Catalans may play behind closed doors

Post by josie andrews »

Catalans Dragons have announced they hope a decision will be made in regards to Saturday’s match against Leeds Rhinos will be made soon.

This comes after the French government banned gatherings of more than 1,000 people in a bid to contain the coronavirus.

France is currently has the second highest number of cases of coronavirus behind Italy. They have had 1,126 cases of Covid-19 and 19 deaths.

The Dragons are due to welcome the Rhinos to Perpignan on Saturday for their Super League Round Seven clash on Saturday.

They also host Toronto Wolfpack and St Helens within the next four weeks.

However, the club say they are in talks with the French government and the Perpignan Prefecture and are waiting for an official decision.

It could be made in the next 24 hours.

https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/catalans ... ors-27780/
Anyone can support a team when it is winning, that takes no courage.
But to stand behind a team, to defend a team when it is down and really needs you,
that takes a lot of courage. #18thMan
Nezza Faz
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First casualty !

Post by Nezza Faz »

josie andrews
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Re: Catalans may play behind closed doors

Post by josie andrews »

Catalans Dragons v Leeds Rhinos hit by coronavirus as Super League stages behind-closed-doors game

The Super league match on Saturday will be played in front of no fans

The first-ever Super League match to be played behind closed doors will take place this Saturday after Catalans Dragons took the decision to play their game against Leeds Rhinos in front of no supporters.

Die the the coronavirus outbreak and the latest advice by the French government, there have been doubts the match at the Gilbert Brutus Stadium in Perpignan would go ahead.

But with the schedule already congested and both clubs hoping for a Challenge Cup run which would mean having to rearrange for a later date in mid-week, a decision has been made for the match to go ahead as planned.

It will, however, be the first game to be played behind locked doors. Catalans have taken that decision alongside Leeds to ensure the game can be played, with an alternative being having a limited crowd for the event of just 1,000 supporters.

But that would have brought with it the difficulty in selecting which fans weer allowed in.

For the hundreds of Rhinos fans who are travelling over to France this week for the game the news will come as a blow.

Catalans Dragons statement

Catalans Dragons confirm that, following meetings with the Préfecture des Pyrénées-Orientales and in accordance with the decisions taken by the French government due to concerns over Covid-19, the Super League round 7 game against Leeds Rhinos, scheduled one Saturday 14 March at 6 pm, will be played behind closed doors at the Gilbert Brutus stadium.

A meeting has also been organized between the RFL, Super League and both clubs to look at the different options.

Catalans Dragons Chairman Bernard Guasch: "Following the unprecedented decision of the French Minister of Sports, the Dragons' choice was to switch the fixtures. Unfortunately, the Leeds Rhinos club did not accept our request.

We then proposed to postpone the match and to play it later in the season, midweek or weekend depending on the Cup results of each club. We even offer a financial compensation to Leeds club for their additional travelling costs.

Remember that we were in the same situation a month ago in Wakefield without solution or possible compensation for the canceled game due to bad weather. To date, we are still waiting for Wakefield and the RFL to reschedule this match.

Unfortunately the RFL, the Leeds Rhinos and the RFL Board did not hear our reasons, even after appealing the decision, and told us to play the game as scheduled.

We strongly regret this decision which will hugely impact the finances of the club with revenues already anticipated in our annual budget.

Unable to find a solution to choose only 1,000 supporters from our 5,500 season ticket holders and sponsors, the club has chosen to play behind closed doors.

Details of ticket refund procedures will be confirmed as soon as possible.

https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/r ... us-3936460
Anyone can support a team when it is winning, that takes no courage.
But to stand behind a team, to defend a team when it is down and really needs you,
that takes a lot of courage. #18thMan
moto748
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Re: Catalans may play behind closed doors

Post by moto748 »

We all might be playing behind closed doors (at best) soon.
josie andrews
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Re: Catalans may play behind closed doors

Post by josie andrews »

CATALANS DRAGONS V LEEDS RHINOS TO BE STREAMED BY SKY SPORTS

Sky Sports have made it possible for Betfred Super League fans to watch the behind-closed-doors game between Catalans Dragons and Leeds Rhinos.

Saturday’s match will be live streamed and available on Sky Sports’ YouTube channel.

This follows the French government’s decision to ban crowds of more than 1,000, in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

Stade Gilbert Brutus will stage the first Super League game to be played under such arrangements, and Super League thanks its host broadcaster, Sky Sports, for enabling fans of both clubs to be able to catch the action, with live commentary.

There are no geo restrictions on the broadcast which will start at 4.55pm on Saturday, for a 5pm kick-off UK time.

Watch it live on Sky Sports’ YouTube channel by following this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9r6am16v9k
Anyone can support a team when it is winning, that takes no courage.
But to stand behind a team, to defend a team when it is down and really needs you,
that takes a lot of courage. #18thMan
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