: Mon Mar 09, 2009 3:41 pm  

SmokeyTA wrote:

Why?

Putting aside the legalities of it, to ensure that, where possible, all clubs are operating on a level playing field. Top quality imports with a history will be unable to sign for a British club yet will be able to play in the same ‘domestic’ competition for a French side. Even with your argumentative manner, it is clear to see why Jambon oppposes Bird playing for the Dragons.

: Mon Mar 09, 2009 4:01 pm  

Khlav Kalash wrote:

Putting aside the legalities of it, to ensure that, where possible, all clubs are operating on a level playing field. Top quality imports with a history will be unable to sign for a British club yet will be able to play in the same ‘domestic’ competition for a French side. Even with your argumentative manner, it is clear to see why Jambon oppposes Bird playing for the Dragons.

If the RFL had said 'no' to Birds registration with Bradford and then sanctioned his move to Catalan then I see your argument, but they in fact by accepting him as a Bulls player have said that he is acceptable to play in SL, the issue as already said is not a RUGBY one but an immigration one, our immigration said 'no' the French said 'oui'

: Mon Mar 09, 2009 4:17 pm  

Let's hope there's a miserable s.o.b of a immigration officer (or a wildcat supporter) on duty when he arrives with Les Catalans on Friday @ LBA.

: Mon Mar 09, 2009 4:20 pm  

[quote="SmokeyTA"]Why?[/quote]

So that all clubs in super league are playing by the same rules! Why should Catalans be able to sign a player who cant play for an English club? As the governing body for the competition i feel the RFL should have blocked this transfer.

: Mon Mar 09, 2009 4:26 pm  

Jambon wrote:

So that all clubs in super league are playing by the same rules! Why should Catalans be able to sign a player who cant play for an English club? As the governing body for the competition i feel the RFL should have blocked this transfer.

It isn't something that we have control of. These are immigration rules, and if we try and place our own rules it would be a restraint of trade!

: Mon Mar 09, 2009 5:08 pm  

Khlav Kalash wrote:

Putting aside the legalities of it, to ensure that, where possible, all clubs are operating on a level playing field. Top quality imports with a history will be unable to sign for a British club yet will be able to play in the same ‘domestic’ competition for a French side. Even with your argumentative manner, it is clear to see why Jambon oppposes Bird playing for the Dragons.

well your immediate mistake is looking at the european super league as a 'domestic' competition, when it pretty obviously an international competition

and are you expecting the french clubs to run their signings by the UK border agency as well as the french border agency? do we ask british clubs to do the same, are wakefield going make sure the that frank winterstein is ok by the french authorities

: Mon Mar 09, 2009 5:10 pm  

Jambon wrote:

So that all clubs in super league are playing by the same rules! Why should Catalans be able to sign a player who cant play for an English club? As the governing body for the competition i feel the RFL should have blocked this transfer.

they are playing by the same rules, but there are differing laws which superseed the laws of the RFL,

regardless of your strange moral objection which i really cant see,

the rfl would be sued into oblivion in what would be a very clear case of discrimination

: Tue Mar 10, 2009 3:28 pm  

No Bird to roast on Sunday, has flown back Oz Already. Shame http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528, ... 41,00.html

No Bird to roast on Sunday, has flown back Oz Already. Shame http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528, ... 41,00.html

: Tue Mar 10, 2009 4:10 pm  

SmokeyTA wrote:

well your immediate mistake is looking at the european super league as a 'domestic' competition, when it pretty obviously an international competition

and are you expecting the french clubs to run their signings by the UK border agency as well as the french border agency? do we ask british clubs to do the same, are wakefield going make sure the that frank winterstein is ok by the french authorities

I used the term domestic to identify the ESL as a league and not a European cup type competition. I know in football, teams in the Spanish and Italian leagues used to have an advantage over their English counterparts by being able to fill their teams with Argentinean and Brazilian players due to quota regulations. I have no idea whether this is still the case.

And no, I’m not expecting the French clubs to run signings pass the UK border agency at all, not sure where you’ve pulled that one from. All I’m saying, putting the legalities aside for one moment, the RFL could resolve this issue of one club having an advantage over everyone else by refusing to register any player who is not eligible to play for all member clubs. I would feel the same if Wakefield were able to sign a player that Catalans were unable to due to visa issues.

Re: Winterstein, you really need to get over it.

: Tue Mar 10, 2009 4:11 pm  

[quote="SmokeyTA"]they are playing by the same rules, but there are differing laws which superseed the laws of the RFL,

[b]regardless of your strange moral objection which i really cant see,[/b]

the rfl would be sued into oblivion in what would be a very clear case of discrimination[/quote]

What is strange about it? Catalans can sign a player that another team in the same league cant! I find that unfair, what don't you get?

I understand your point about the laws of the land but surely this is an area that now needs to be looked at if possible?