Dewsbury Cleared : Wed Aug 06, 2014 5:13 pm  

From the RFL's website:

Two clubs have been charged with breaching RFL Operational Rules relating to dual registration by fielding ineligible players in Kingstone Press Championship fixtures.
Batley Bulldogs and Doncaster have been charged with breaching Operational Rule D1.20 which states that dual registration players who have a salary cap value of £20,000 or more must have played in at least three league fixtures for the Championship club that season before the end-of-season registration deadline in order to play in games which fall after the deadline, whether they be regular season or play-off games.
The charges follow complaints that Jacob Fairbank, a dual registered player from Huddersfield Giants, played for Batley against Sheffield Eagles, and that Ben Crooks, a dual-registered player from Hull FC, played for Doncaster against Keighley Cougars. Both matches were played on Sunday July 27, two days after the registration deadline for the Kingstone Press Championship closed.
The charges will be heard by an independent Operational Rules Tribunal which has been scheduled for Thursday August 14.
If found guilty, Batley and Doncaster face a range of sanctions, including a fine and/or the deduction of competition points.
Dewsbury Rams have been cleared of an allegation that they fielded an ineligible player in a Championship fixture against Barrow Raiders on the same day.

As we beat Doncaster, who are way above the 'relegation zone', I would imagine that the team with most to lose is Batley since the player in question, Jacob Fairbank, actually scored a try in the match against Sheffield, which Batley went on to win.

The RFL's decision will be both interesting and could well affect teams in the 'relegation zone'.

Re: Dewsbury Cleared : Thu Aug 07, 2014 6:25 am  

It is all a bit complicated but when you unpick it all it does look like Batley have made a mega cock up. It is the host clubs responsibility to ensure they meet DR criteria. Oh dear! Of course Id rather see us stay up on performance alone but rules are rules so if Batley go down because of this breach I for one wouldnt have a problem given how much most of us dont like DR.

Re: Dewsbury Cleared : Thu Aug 07, 2014 7:27 am  

As one of the few clubs not abusing (or perhaps a more gentle way to put it ' using the agreements in contradiction to the spirit of the original plan'), the DR regs and at times being on the end of some results that were massively influenced by the oppositions SL players , my initial reaction has got to be 'oh dear my heart bleeds for you' .

Obviously if it comes to a club being demoted on a technicality , you've got to have some some slight sympathy with the supporters , but then again we've had some away supporters on the terraces at CP defend their dual reg players to the hilt , so to that end ,it's an' I'm alright Jack' attitude when we're reaping the benefits, but with that ,don't expect too much solidarity between fans when it all goes t**s up .

TBH (confession - Alcho Anoymous style ) - My names Rach and I've more sympathy with the Bulls Fans and the situation they found themselves in , than supporting a Club who's cocked up over Dual Reg ..... ...........(deep breath there I've done it )

Re: Dewsbury Cleared : Thu Aug 07, 2014 3:02 pm  

Rach - wash your mouth out with soap and water!! But I know what you mean, it is often the fans who get sh&t on most. Remember all the money raised by fans to keep the Dulls alive - all of which just disappeared in the ether.

Anyway, if we beat the Dulls (unlikely I know) anyone up for a sponsored Cougarcrawl round Ktown or even up to Odsal tip? Charlie knows.

Re: Dewsbury Cleared : Thu Aug 07, 2014 4:43 pm  

cougartime wrote:

Rach - wash your mouth out with soap and water!! But I know what you mean, it is often the fans who get sh&t on most. Remember all the money raised by fans to keep the Dulls alive - all of which just disappeared in the ether.

Anyway, if we beat the Dulls (unlikely I know) anyone up for a sponsored Cougarcrawl round Ktown or even up to Odsal tip? Charlie knows.

CT put me down for a go at the Cougarcrawl id give it a go .

Re: Dewsbury Cleared : Fri Aug 08, 2014 7:38 am  

Rach wrote:

As one of the few clubs not abusing (or perhaps a more gentle way to put it ' using the agreements in contradiction to the spirit of the original plan'), the DR regs and at times being on the end of some results that were massively influenced by the oppositions SL players , my initial reaction has got to be 'oh dear my heart bleeds for you' .

Obviously if it comes to a club being demoted on a technicality , you've got to have some some slight sympathy with the supporters , but then again we've had some away supporters on the terraces at CP defend their dual reg players to the hilt , so to that end ,it's an' I'm alright Jack' attitude when we're reaping the benefits, but with that ,don't expect too much solidarity between fans when it all goes t**s up .

TBH (confession - Alcho Anoymous style ) - My names Rach and I've more sympathy with the Bulls Fans and the situation they found themselves in , than supporting a Club who's cocked up over Dual Reg ..... ...........(deep breath there I've done it )

Tiime for another A.H. video Rach , about Batley
And the DR c**k up ???

Re: Dewsbury Cleared : Fri Aug 08, 2014 9:39 pm  

Can this decision be accepted as a precedent, despite it being in another sport?

With acknowledgement to the 'Bleacher Report':

A statement from UEFA, provided by Sky Sports, elaborated:
The match has been declared as forfeit and Legia have lost the match 3-0. As a consequence, Celtic have qualified for the play-offs on away goals (agg: 4-4) and Legia will compete in the UEFA Europa League play-offs.
In addition the player Bartosz Bereszynski has been suspended for one additional UEFA competition match for which he would be otherwise eligible.
This suspension shall be added to the remaining two match suspension which the player still has to serve in accordance with the Control and Disciplinary Body decision of 13 February 2014.

No doubt, the illustrious RFL will find some insignificant reason for failing to punish Batley, should they be found guilty, of fielding an illegible player who helped them to beat Sheffield in their recent game.

The decision, and their reasons for making it, will be interesting though.