Sexism and misogyny complaints add to turmoil at Rugby Football League

[josie andrews]

* Historical allegations made to whistleblowing email

* English rugby league’s governing body under pressure

The Rugby Football League has received multiple anonymous whistleblowing complaints containing historical allegations of sexism and misogyny in the workplace.

The complaints come amid turmoil in the English game’s governing body for weeks, with the chair, Simon Johnson, and three female directors resigning this month and the Bradford Bulls chairman, Nigel Wood, appointed to head a “club-led strategic review” of the sport after a bitter power struggle.

The Guardian has learned that:

* Several formal complaints have been made in the past fortnight alleging a historical sexist culture and the use of misogynistic language.

* Sport England, which is providing £11.9m of government funding to the RFL over five years until 2027, has been made aware of the complaints, with senior officials expressing concerns.

* Australia’s National Rugby League is unhappy about the RFL’s board changes, leading to fears they could jeopardise its plans to buy a stake in Super League.

* The International Rugby League board is considering removing England’s seat from the 10-strong board that runs the international game.

The complaints are understood to have been made anonymously a fortnight ago via the RFL’s whistleblowing email address. The RFL chief executive, Tony Sutton, is aware of the complaints and is taking them seriously.

Sutton has also told RFL staff that anyone else with concerns should feel safe to raise them with him in person, or via the whistleblowing hotline. The RFL has yet to open a formal investigation, but a source at the governing body told the Guardian it is likely to do so in line with whistleblowing policy.

An RFL spokesperson told the Guardian: “Details of our internal complaints procedures are confidential.”

The complaints follow the circulation of a letter signed by “The Women of the RFL and RL Commercial”, published by the website rugbyleague.com. The anonymous authors described a “pattern of misogyny, bullying, and dismissive behaviour toward women” by men working in the sport.

Over time we have gathered extensive evidence of inappropriate behaviour, including misogynistic comments and demeaning actions by a small group of men within the wider sport – behaviour that has no place in our future,” the letter stated.

“Additionally, we have observed representatives of the sport publicly berating and belittling women, perpetuating a culture of disrespect and inequality.”

In response to the letter an RFL spokesperson said: “We have whistleblowing procedures and confidentiality is part of that process.”

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/ ... all-league

[buttmonkey2]

* Australia’s National Rugby League is unhappy about the RFL’s board changes, leading to fears they could jeopardise its plans to buy a stake in Super League.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/ ... all-league

I don't know where the alleged journalist got that piece of fiction from?

Mr Wood and co are just kicking the can further down the road, The RFL will not exists in its current form if the rival competition goes ahead.

[moto748]

Well, it's not really a fiction, is it? It's no secret that the NRL is interested, to say the least.