What if the 3 Toronto players with the criminalty are actually Canadian born and bred.

What if the three Leigh players were actually Canadian born and bred?

Then don’t employ players with GBH offences if you’re so worried about it.

Quote: Call Me God "I thought this but was too lazy to look it up..... I've been to Toronto on business over a dozen times...... Never had to get a visa and that was on an Irish Passport.'" List of nationalities that don't require a visa to enter Canada here apply-eta.com/target.php Virtually every professional player would not need one.

Quote: Call Me God "I thought this but was too lazy to look it up..... I've been to Toronto on business over a dozen times...... Never had to get a visa and that was on an Irish Passport.'" List of nationalities that don't require a visa to enter Canada here apply-eta.com/target.php Virtually every professional player would not need one.

Then that would be fair enough, but we haven’t got that have we and currently the rest of the RL clubs are handicapped., how long would this situation last, 5,10,15,20 years.

You can still get entry into Canada with a criminal record, it just requires jumping through more hoops, as you say see Ryan Bailey. I'm absolutely certain that the recent announcement by the Canadian HC meant that they would expedite the process for players who need to do so - comments I've seen regarding HKR players would appear to support this view

Curiously, Ryan Bailey was 'unavailable' to play for Leigh, in Toronto recently! He was probably injured

It will last as long as RFL clubs don't apply in time and as long as players aren't forthcoming about their past criminal charges and convictions. You can try blaming Canada, Toronto, and the Wolfpack all you like, but most of this is down to the clubs and the players they sign.

Was going to bring up saints signing Barba but seems he's left the club now.

All this is nonsense especially some of the recent comments about being careful who you sign in the future.

1. A lot of RL players are not the brightest so do tend to do daft things.
2. If you have served your time/payed the fine it seems grossly unfair that you continue to be hounded by it - second chances and all that.
3. Canada can legally persecute ex-cons if they wish but see point 2.
4. Its not our fault that this team decided to set up in a different continent and therefore is managing to use loopholes like point 3 to their advantage - you wait till next year if they get promoted.
5. In the end there does seem to be a way around it but again this is an extra hassle factor to all other clubs and disrupts their preparations - see point 4.

That's literally the point of a criminal record - it's part of the punishment.

Canada is not the only country that decides that people of previous poor character aren't welcome in their country, and there are good reasons why employers may make judgements on an individual's criminal past.

Arguing "well, rugby players aren't very bright" doesn't cut it. Plenty of "not very bright" people don't commit criminal acts.

You do realise some of the best rugby league players have come from criminal backgrounds and have become sporting role models for the young, for example there are plenty of new zealanders and south sea islanders who have been involved in the knife and gun gangs especially from Auckland and have found a way through sport to change there ways.

They have been given a second chance and a lot have signed for the super league clubs but there would be a major doubt if they would be able to play a Toronto side on Canadian soil.

[Citation needed]

Regards

King James