For many years, there has been a suspicion that the RFL are not equitable in the treatment of different clubs. The published decision from Wigan’s appeal available today makes some very interesting reading. As a summary of points 6.3 and 6.4, it seems that the RFL have paid a proportion of a Wigan player’s salary in an agreement that the appeal panel describes as “confidential, and perhaps surprisingly, only offered to certain clubs”. https://www.sportresolutions.co.uk/uplo ... ed._v2.pdf Discuss.

For many years, there has been a suspicion that the RFL are not equitable in the treatment of different clubs. The published decision from Wigan’s appeal available today makes some very interesting reading. As a summary of points 6.3 and 6.4, it seems that the RFL have paid a proportion of a Wigan player’s salary in an agreement that the appeal panel describes as “confidential, and perhaps surprisingly, only offered to certain clubs”. https://www.sportresolutions.co.uk/uplo ... ed._v2.pdf Discuss.

I think this should be called "several unnamed clubs and the RFL". But it is an interesting read. It seems a confidential "RFL ambassador" scheme was set up to help people players in England. At best guess its perhaps only offered to clubs that are at risk of losing players to the NRL? Or an addition to home grown clauses? It would be interesting to learn more. It's obviously not confidential anymore so someone is going to have something to say about it. Probably Andrew Chalmers. He loves a bit of drama. Especially when it's nothing to do with him.

It depends whether it is confidential between the RFL and the club or confidential between all clubs and not the public.

True. Do all the clubs know about it or just those involved? I would have to assume all clubs know about it, these things usually have to be agreed by all SL clubs. If all the clubs know about it and agree to it then it's a non issue really. But if its confidential to the public then why not redact it like they did with the player in question?

It's simple, it is called cheating, if Wigan, or any other club are getting preferential treatmemt. The RFL are as corrupt as Putin!

It’s quite clear in the published report that this was a “confidential agreement that was only offered to certain clubs.”
Also interesting to note the agent involved is the same one that lured Denny Solomona to breach his contract and move to RU. Ironic given the purpose of the RFL payment is meant to be keeping players in SL. Why anyone deals with such a snake is beyond me.

Its obvious its confidential, and it's obvious it hasn't been offered to all clubs, but it's not obvious if other clubs knew about it. It was an RFL initiative put forward by Nigel Wood too, so we cant blame the clubs for taking up an offer. It's an odd one. I assume more details will come out as more people ask questions. It's not going to go away any time soon.

I was hoping this report would answer a few questions but it seems to ask more than answer them

Wasn't there an example of Wigan and the RFL with the Quentin Pongia affair, the RFL did not disclose the full facts on the lines of confidentiality and I seem to remember the Wigan players were innoculated but the rest of the super league players were not protected. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/23794 ... scare.html

Wasn't there an example of Wigan and the RFL with the Quentin Pongia affair, the RFL did not disclose the full facts on the lines of confidentiality and I seem to remember the Wigan players were innoculated but the rest of the super league players were not protected. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/23794 ... scare.html

If it was known by all the other clubs, I’m not sure why it would be “confidential” in any other way though. The panel have highlighted that it was a “surprising” agreement and one that wasn’t available to all clubs. It leaves the massive question of “why not?” hanging over the RFL.
Due to the very poor redaction of the document, it’s obvious the player in question is George Williams. However, there’s no mention of any RFL contribution to his salary in any of the press releases when he signed his marquee deal in 2017. How many other clubs knew the RFL were contributing to Wigan’s salary expenditure? How may other clubs are in benefit of similar RFL contributions to a player’s salary?
I’m afraid I’m erring on the side of thinking this is corruption and the RFL giving secret financial payments to selected clubs.

The ones who have marquee players? Just a wild guess, mind.

I doubt that to be honest. The general idea of the payment seems to be to stop players going to the NRL, but most players on marquee money are from there (Hurrell, Merrin, Austin, Sandow, Roberts etc).
It’s also seems that these payments do count on the salary cap of the club they play for. If so, why do Wigan (and possibly other clubs) deserve money from the RFL and others don’t?
It’s more than suspicious if you ask me. Secret payments to certain clubs and players from the sports governing body is outright corruption at the highest level.

The "ambassador" rule has been in existence for a couple of seasons now. Doesn't Cas Tigers get some sort of dispensation for Mike McMeeken ?