Teams with Covid will have to forfeit games in 2022

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josie andrews
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Teams with Covid will have to forfeit games in 2022

Post by josie andrews »

CLUBS will be ordered to forfeit matches in the event of Covid outbreaks in 2022 under new rules being prepared by the Rugby Football League.

The governing body has written to all clubs informing them that failure to fulfil a fixture in the new season will result in the match being awarded to the opposition with a score of 48-0.

The changes, which are still to be ratified by the RFL board, come after the governing body agreed that final league positions should no longer be determined by points percentage.

The move is as an attempt to return to the previous norm where the fulfilment of fixtures was seen as sacrosanct. It also takes into account a relaxation of Covid restrictions as well as criticism of the previous system.

Points percentage was introduced in September 2020 after the effects of the pandemic began to take their toll on the resumed Betfred Super League, with officials acknowledging the possibility that clubs would not be able to play all their games.

The system was retained for Super League in 2021 and extended to cover both the Championship and League 1, which remained suspended in 2020 and were also hit by postponements last year.

Clubs were able to apply for a cancellation if they had seven or more players unavailable due to the impact of the pandemic and a total of 21 Super League fixtures were called off with only a handful rearranged.

Wigan were the only Super League club to fulfil all their fixtures in the regular season while Toulouse managed to play just 14 of their scheduled 22 matches on their way to winning promotion from the Championship.

A statement from the RFL said: "Clubs in Betfred Super League, Championship and League 1 were advised in late 2021, after relevant regulatory meetings, of the intention to introduce a revised framework for 2022 in case of inability to fulfil fixtures, recognising the changing Covid-19 landscape.

"That remains the intention, although as with the situation regarding scrums, it will remain under review through January before the start of the league season."

Under the proposals, clubs failing to fulfil league fixtures will be deemed to have lost 48-0 while teams will receive byes if their opponents pull out of the Challenge Cup and 1895 Cup.

Previously league games were awarded as 24-0 victories but, following feedback from clubs and the RFL's laws committee, it was felt a harsher penalty was needed.

In addition, clubs failing to fulfil fixtures face the prospect of a misconduct charge and sanctions could include the payment of compensation to their opponents.

Castleford, Huddersfield and Salford were all fined in 2021 for breaches of Covid rules that led to postponements.

The RFL plans to hold consultations with clubs over the next fortnight before making a final decision. The Championship season kicks off on January 29, with Super League starting on February 10.

The RFL board must also make a final decision before the end of January on whether to bring back scrums, which have been suspended since the resumption of Super League in the summer of 2020.

The RFL's laws committee recommended that scrums should return in 2022 if 85 per cent of players across the Super League and Championship had been double vaccinated but that threshold had not been met by the deadline of December 31.

https://www.leighjournal.co.uk/sport/le ... ames-2022/
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josie andrews
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Re: Teams with Covid will have to forfeit games in 2022

Post by josie andrews »

Vaccination status set to cause trouble for a number of Super League players on away visits

Vaccination or no vaccination? – that is the question that has been doing the rounds in sport and society as a whole.

For most of society, it’s the former, but a strong and vociferous minority of those in the latter camp continue to voice their concerns.

Whilst the UK has not passed any legislation mandating vaccination, France has – which could have serious consequences for Super League.

Any unvaccinated people cannot play or watch sport from the 15th January in France, with President Emmanuel Macron deciding to act really tough on vaccinations and the pandemic.

That would mean that any Catalans Dragons or Toulouse Olympique players who are unjabbed would not be able to play – likewise any unvaccinated stars at another Super League club could not play in France either, according to the Daily Mail.

Despite 85% of Super League players being vaccinated, according to the RFL before Christmas, there could still be a lot of drama for those who haven’t received their jab.

Read more https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/vaccinat ... its-47422/
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,
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the pieman
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Re: Teams with Covid will have to forfeit games in 2022

Post by the pieman »

It'll be sods law that we have an outbreak this season. We have done really well in fulfilling our fixtures over the last 2 seasons, whilst others have played the Covid Card to give players a rest

The one thing it will do is make sure everyone is treated equally as there has been disparity in how teams have been treated in regards to 1. its ok dont play or 2. dont play but we are going to award a 48-0 loss against you and 3. we have done 2, but also going to fine you for not playing the game.
nathan_rugby
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Re: Teams with Covid will have to forfeit games in 2022

Post by nathan_rugby »

Seems very harsh to me given that an outbreak could occur even if every player and staff where vaccinated / boosted and they were following whatever protocols are required.
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Mike
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Re: Teams with Covid will have to forfeit games in 2022

Post by Mike »

I think the self isolation rules may pretty much go away in the UK this year, which means this maybe more workable.
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Wiganer Ted
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Re: Teams with Covid will have to forfeit games in 2022

Post by Wiganer Ted »

If they were really serious the RFLSL could deduct clubs League points as well as hitting their points against with the 48-0 number.
Should they revert to the points percentage and a club defaults then one penalty could be to treat the game as played but lost. That would be a double hit with the points percentage being adversely affected as well as the points against being hit badly.
Wintergreen
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Re: Teams with Covid will have to forfeit games in 2022

Post by Wintergreen »

Where did the 48-0 come from?

What's the logic?
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Mike
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Re: Teams with Covid will have to forfeit games in 2022

Post by Mike »

It's twice as bad as previously. Apparently because people felt the 24-0 wasn't harsh enough these days.
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Caboosegg
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Re: Teams with Covid will have to forfeit games in 2022

Post by Caboosegg »

Wintergreen wrote: Fri Jan 07, 2022 11:40 am Where did the 48-0 come from?

What's the logic?
I imagine so if saints have a "Covid outbreak" after the challenge Cup again that it actually impacts them.
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fozzieskem
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Re: Teams with Covid will have to forfeit games in 2022

Post by fozzieskem »

It did seem there was an element of picking and choosing games from a few sides last time out so hopefully this will deter that of behaviour.

If not birch the buggers.
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