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

I can see how it could be an issue with the middle 8’s with not having time to get things ready, however I would hope clubs had sorted visas for their players at the beginning of the season anyway as it would be likely Toronto would be in the 8’s.

I have no sympathy with clubs in the same league as Toronto. You know you have to play them. Get the visas sorted before the season starts. That just requires a smidgen of organisation and thinking ahead. So I can see why some RL clubs struggle with that.

Off the top of my head our very own Apollo Perilini, then Wigan have Frank Paul Nu'Ualisia some of the Tuilagi family more closer to home is Jason Robinson, and Terry Newton there are loads of players. What was interesting is if you do a search it mentions some data has been removed for Data Protection under EU Law so if the Canadian authorities refuse entry then they cannot be specific about refusal otherwise they are in breach of the EU.

The premise of your argument seems to be that the state apparatus of Canada should be altered so as not to unfairly disadvantage some English RL clubs.

An alternative view might be that said English RL clubs should sort it out themselves, within the pre-existing border controls set by the Canadian government? Seems more logical.

At the moment its just an unfair competition that 30+ clubs can compete without fundamental restriction and parity whilst one other club you can't. If it becomes the norm and you look into the future and we have Catalans, Toulouse, Toronto and New York in Superleague, then we have 2 french clubs able to sign up players that UK clubs can't and we also have America and Canada with completely different entry requirements from the UK, that for me is a right mess of what is supposed to be a domestic competition.

How to get around the problem is a difficult one and the RFL need to address the operational rules across 3 possible 4 different countries, instead of creating possible ambiguity.