This criticism of the 6 "rebel" clubs is really starting to irk me. From my understanding of the articles I've read, these clubs want a review of the governance and commercialism of the game alongside any discussion or colossal league restructuring. Now surely this is simply commonsense? Let's not forget that any restructuring here is massive. It will change the sport. If clubs aren't happily waving it through then they must have serious concerns. Already posters on here have highlighted issues with the RFL's proposal statement, a lack of evidence and information on commercial facets I think were the points raised. If we mere mortals can see issues then why is it so unreasonable to think professional clubs can too?
For too long the RFL have been conducting their own annual reviews and declaring themselves as 'excellent'. There's no accountability or transparency coming out of Red Hall. Off the top of my head, just some of the recent failures (IMO) from the RFL:
- No SL sponsor
- The free Stobarts deal
- Scrapping club academies
- Dual registration, which has been abused by clubs in the most ridiculous way
- Increasing SL league size & decreasing competitive matches
- Increasing SL play off size so effectively you can lose more than win & still make play offs
- Moving the CC semis/final to August
- Multiple club bankruptcies (not to mention the Crusaders fiasco)
- Scrapping the Northern Rail Cup
- The way franchises have been done (though I don't disagree with the principle)
- Club Call, a joke to everyone
- The referees 'boys club' with no accountability/improvement
Now we're all to contend with a ridiculous new structure that half the fans can't even understand and many don't want, not to mention the impact on new fans coming into the sport. Is it any wonder the 6 clubs have asked for a governance and commercial review alongside any discussion about league restructuring. For me, that's common sense.
Quote ="Gary Hetherington"The RFL cannot sit in its ivory tower handing out assessments on clubs without also looking at its own performance. This issue should not be swept under the carpet'"
Isn't it funny how Hetherington was all for a top-down review of the RFL in 2011 after the Crusaders debacle. Suddenly Leeds are the RFL's golden boys and he's happy to turn a blind eye. Also interesting to note that, alongside Leeds, none of the clubs 'saved' by the RFL have raised a peep...
For Hetherington to release a statement calling these 6 clubs "selfish" and "self-interested" is nothing short of disgusting.
*Edit* I don't want the 8:8:8 structure. I don't struggle to understand it, I just find it stupid and convoluted and completely unnecessary when there are simpler and more productive ways to improve RL.
