Just wait and see. I can understand the necessity of having to go through a process, you can’t have clubs deciding which matches they’ll play and which they won’t.

So as long as no punishment comes from the process it’s fine. But they also aren’t going to actively encourage clubs to call off games.

Their statement should have been a bit more nuanced but as long it ends with no punishment then all’s good.

Its not a case of actively encouraging clubs, clubs arnt actively looking to call matches off...If theres even a slight chance that members of the Leeds squad/staff could have the virus, they shouldnt be travelling through 3 different countrys, encountering god knows how many people along the way. Regardless of the outcome, the RFL statement was unnecessarily front foot, its like theyv been under a rock for 3 month.

Maybe I’m just a bit cynical but I could easily see clubs using the situation for their own benefit. Those with high injury lists or in poor form could use it to avoid playing games now in the hope of getting players back or regaining form by the time the fixture is rearranged. I’m struggling to think of a rule that hasn’t been abused by clubs at one point or another, for instance both stopping a game due to injury and the HIA protocols have both been taken advantage by some clubs.

So any time a game is called off other than by the match commissioner there should be an investigation by the RFL.

However you’re spot on re the statement. It should have been much more congenial and nuanced. It should have read something like “The RFL are aware of the postponement of the Super League match between Catalans Dragons and Leeds Rhinos due to be played on Saturday 14th March.
We are aware of and sympathetic towards the reasons for this however must follow operational rules and convene an investigation.”

Anyone who thinks that This years superleague/championship/ cup comps would come though this unscathed has their head in the Clouds. Either the season gets extended or the fixture list shortened to accommodate the inevitable cancellations ad postponements. Getting rid of the 'we play them three times' Fixtures a good start.
Yes this will mean the Clubs wil loose money, but there are a lot of people out there going to loose money and not going to a game is an easy way to save a few bob even if the game is on...

Why was said Leeds player sent home from training on Tuesday with antibiotics if they suspect he has the VIRUS.

The said player isnt suspected to have the Virus, he's showing symptoms of it, the same syptoms can appear in a bacterial infection which Antibiotics treat. As much as club rivalry is clearly more important than a worldwide illness killing thousands...Lets just hang fire with the conspiracy theorys and give Leeds, and all other clubs who might face a similar situation in the days / weeks /months ahead, the benefit of any doubt eh?

without their star player and a vocal crowd , why would Leeds call it of without good reason

The player in question tested negative

Do you know i somehow thought he might. Something in my bones told me he wouldnt have the virus. Lets hope our Irish winger Jack O'Nory remains healthy once his sniffle goes away.

The fact that Spain has now gone into lockdown suggests the RFL might give us a more lenient penalty if any.

Leeds made the right call in not travelling but it wasnt their call to make. The goons at the RFL and Elstone at SL Towers are complete idiots for not making this decision for Leeds.

Leeds had good reason to pull out anyway, regardless whether the player had the virus or
Not. Travelling abroad now you will more than likely pick it up.

Any penalty from the RFL is entirely academic now.

Did Leeds consult with the SL or did they make the decision without getting approval first?
If they failed to consult then even if it was the right decision Leeds are at fault.
The argument is should we be refused we might have been stuck out there or the whole team would need to self isolate for 2 weeks.
But to refuse to travel without a discussion seems wrong unless i'm missing something.

they were in discussion from monday.

They must have spoken to the RFL as they issued a press release mentioning sanctions 1 minute after Leeds did on Friday. From that i guess Leeds didnt get approval to postpone the game and that is the issue.

Let's get the Leeds blinkers off here folks. Leeds had no right not to travel without RFL approval. Catalans should get the points and additional 2 point penalty would be fair imho

I'm sure the French public would be delighted knowing their wellbeing was in the hands of the RFL.Imagine if our squad had to isolate themselves after travelling to another country. The French would go spare and rightly so. The RFL can swivel. There's more important things than RL.

Are you mad? The government clearly laid out guidelines and Leeds followed them. The RFL are just trying to save face in this daft situation that our Government can’t make a proper decision on. The game should have been cancelled anyway as France and Spain cancelled all sporting events, but the RFL are too spineless to do that, Rimmer has an agenda with Leeds anyway. The game should just be replayed and that’s it.

Nothing that the idiot Rimmer and his cronies does surprises me really. If Leeds get a sanction of any kind they should get a lawyer on the case. Just rearrange the bloody game. It will be to Catalans advantage anyway as they will have Tomkins and their vociferous crowd back too

The only sanction i can see being any where near fair is Cats get the 2 points, anything above that is ridiculous

Cats get 2 points that’s fair!!
Probably will happen because the game is run by clowns thinking only about money and not players or public safety.
If one of the top clowns is infected then we will see what happens...the top brass make our sport the laughing stock

I’m going with no sanction and the game to be rearranged for either midweek w/c 1st June or if we are both out of the CC, that weekend.

Another doylem.
The RFL are clueless the Club did exactly the right thing had they travelled knowing a player had been isolated with possible symptoms who had been around the squad it would have been complete irresponsable.

Agree with this. Although I feel that the RFL are looking to make an example of Leeds.If and when they dish out sanctions be it points deductions and/or a suspended fine, they should challenge it on appeal or through the courts.After all they caved in when Wigan appealed a points deduction.

Let them do their worst. The negative publicity following any sanction will only highlight to the rest of the country what RL fans have known all along.

Especially with Toronto deciding to isolate the whole team? Would they get sanctioned!