Looks like the new initials will be WC then

Or sh*thouses to some.

What you say may be true but…

The law often works on precedents which are set. Where some areas seem to be untouchable one moment, the next, they are not. What often happens is that someone pushes things too far, in the mistaken belief they are safe. This then results in a “test case”, which, if won, sets a new precedent. The clubs under the RFL are not just sporting teams, but businesses with staff and there are peoples jobs on the line.

However, as I have already said, a very strong case would have to be put forward by any club wishing to take legal action against the RFL. It is not certain that this is possible, but a club that believes it has no alternative, and has a lot of money put aside for a team of lawyers, may take things further.

Whether that club wins, or not, the fall out would be catastrophic all round. A famous old club may go out of existence, and people, and the press, will be asking what for. The Leigh situation is completely different. This would be far more serious, given what has gone before it.

Would it bring down the RFL? If the case succeeded, it would have to. If the case against them failed, then obviously not, but it may still damage their credibility.

The games dirty washing would be aired – and there’s an awful lot of it lately – and the games integrity would be brought into question. I can’t see any major sponsors wishing to touch it with a bargepole. It’s hard enough to bring it in as it is

the case wouldnt get past the first stage, it would be laughed out of court. The clubs have agreed to be subject to the RFL's subjective decision, they have agreed to be bound by the RFL's subjective decision and that the RFL's subjective decision is final.

There isnt a court in the land that would even allow an argument to say the RFL's subjective decision was wrong, there also isnt an argument in the world that could PROVE a subjective decision wrong.

The only way a club could challenge the decision was that if they felt the independent scoring, i.e the putting the clubs in to the A B C categories was done incorrectly.

You're suggesting that the common law can be changed through precedent. It can, but those changes in 99% of the cases are simply clarifying existing law. The change is usually relatively small, not an absolute about turn.

I was taught administrative law in the late eighties and the position with regard to judicial review of sports bodies was the same then as I set out in my post you quote. However, the details in my post came from an article on the subject in April 2010's edition of The Solicitors Journal.

This means the law has not changed in over 20 years. I can only think that anyone who ignored that was either very naive or foolish. If a Premiership club like Sheffield United with all its millions to throw at lawyers can't manage it, I doubt any rugby league club could.

It would never damage the RFL's credability, because no case will ever be heard. The chances of the Crown Office (or the Administrative Court to give it its new fangeled name) giving permission to apply are so remote, no one is ever likely to take the odds.

Edited for accuracy.

richard lewis really should listen to all the champ. fans on here when taking action on the games expansion.

do you honestly think he gives a monkeys about the C/C1 ?

as much as the people in their towns do.

They are Rugby League fans as well Dally. And many are feeling alienated by the RFL now. These are the type of fans that would go to watch international games but don't now because the don't feel any connection to the RFL. Rugby League in this country needs as many fans as it can get.

were all RL fans.

what the RFL has done re crusaders is exactly what should be done for the good of the sport

Perhaps, but a bit of transparency would be appricieated in all areas of the game. I agree the game needs to expand to prosper, and would much prefer the RFL coming out and saying we need this or that team in due to this or for this reason. People might not agree with it but they might accept it.

Well, most of the "expansion" clubs are in the championship, after all.

SL has all but two of its clubs within 30 miles of the M62. The championships have Skolars, S. Wales, Gateshead, Toulouse (and if you count Sheffield as expansion, the Eagles too). Not forgetting the 3 Cumbrian Clubs who are well away from the motorway.