Keighley have issued another strong statement after appearing to be the only club actively opposed to recent recommendations by IMG to re-imagine rugby league.
The Cougars voted against the proposals, which would give immunity from relegation to elite – so-called Category A – clubs.
Championship clubs Batley and Dewsbury are reported to have abstained from the vote. But it appears that Barrow, Whitehaven and Workington were among the 42 RFL members who were overwhelmingly positive about the proposals.
Keighley chief executive Ryan O’Neill has compared the proposals to the move last year that saw some of the biggest football clubs in Europe come together to create a Super League competition only for invited teams.
It collapsed after massive criticism from fans, governing bodies and politicians.
O’Neill says that IMG’s proposals to protect rugby league’s elite clubs is the very same principle that was widely berated when it was tried to be implemented in football.
He issued a statement saying: “To create a top division with elite clubs who can never face relegation is only in the self-interests of those involved.
“It is unfair, it is anti-competition, and it isn’t sport. The Cougars are currently standing alone against the proposals, but we believe in our values and in the long-term interests of our sport.
“The vote today was in favour of the equivalent of the failed European Super League in football.
“This was rejected at the highest level, with the then Prime Minister Boris Johnson commiting to legislate against it, citing a cartel and it being ‘against the basic principles of competition.’ Keighley Cougars are committed to equality for all.”
The RFL statement said: “At a meeting of the Rugby League Council arranged for further discussions of the Reimagining Rugby League recommendations presented to the sport by IMG last month, the RFL members have given strong support to the principles and direction of the recommendations.
“The sport’s executive will now work with IMG to scope out the details of the recommendations. This will involve appropriate consultation with clubs and other stakeholders.
“This work will sit alongside other workstreams to maximise the commercial potential of the sport and build deeper relationships with fans and new audiences.”
