https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/ ... gby-league

The Challenge Cup could take place without the champions for the first time in history after Catalans Dragons initiated a stand-off with the Rugby Football League by refusing to pay a £500,000 deposit to enter the competition.

It is understood Catalans’ coaching staff and senior directors intend to enter the cup as normal this season without paying a fee, as has been the case since their formation in 2006. Insiders insist the only way they will not participate is if the RFL actively kicks out the Dragons after failing to agree to provide a cash bond.

The Catalans owner, Bernard Guasch, wrote to the RFL on Wednesday saying they would not pay to enter the competition and imploring the RFL to find another solution to a situation.

Catalans’ success last year has already had an impact for the game in Catalonia. After parading the trophy during Barcelona’s 2-2 draw with Girona in September, the Dragons agreed a deal to host a league game against the Super League champions, Wigan, at the Camp Nou in May.
Those plans will remain, irrespective of the outcome of Catalans’ dispute with the RFL, but it would be seen as a significant PR disaster should the Challenge Cup holders not enter the competition.


An RFL spokesman said: “We have been surprised and disappointed by the uncertainty over the Catalans Dragons participation, which surfaced just before Christmas. We have been in discussions with the club since then and will continue those discussions to search for a solution.”

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/ ... gby-league

The Challenge Cup could take place without the champions for the first time in history after Catalans Dragons initiated a stand-off with the Rugby Football League by refusing to pay a £500,000 deposit to enter the competition.

It is understood Catalans’ coaching staff and senior directors intend to enter the cup as normal this season without paying a fee, as has been the case since their formation in 2006. Insiders insist the only way they will not participate is if the RFL actively kicks out the Dragons after failing to agree to provide a cash bond.

The Catalans owner, Bernard Guasch, wrote to the RFL on Wednesday saying they would not pay to enter the competition and imploring the RFL to find another solution to a situation.

Catalans’ success last year has already had an impact for the game in Catalonia. After parading the trophy during Barcelona’s 2-2 draw with Girona in September, the Dragons agreed a deal to host a league game against the Super League champions, Wigan, at the Camp Nou in May.
Those plans will remain, irrespective of the outcome of Catalans’ dispute with the RFL, but it would be seen as a significant PR disaster should the Challenge Cup holders not enter the competition.


An RFL spokesman said: “We have been surprised and disappointed by the uncertainty over the Catalans Dragons participation, which surfaced just before Christmas. We have been in discussions with the club since then and will continue those discussions to search for a solution.”

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-leagu ... challenge/

Catalans Dragons may not defend the Challenge Cup after being asked to lodge a bond of £500,000.
The cup final has traditionally been a valuable money-earner for the cash-strapped governing body, but last year’s disappointing attendance meant a reduction of around £800,000 in projected income.
Fearful of a repeat, the RFL asked both the Catalans and Toronto Wolfpack to lodge bonds, thought to be in the region of £500,000, in the event of either of them reaching Wembley in 2019 and the Canadian club, after refusing point blank to pay up, will not take part this year.
The Dragons have stopped short of threatening a boycott, but have written to the governing body urging it to reconsider, with ­chairman Bernard Guasch claiming it would be irresponsible for his club to pay the bond.


In a statement, Guasch said: “The club has been officially advised in December that a £500,000 deposit will be asked by the RFL to play in the Challenge Cup in 2019.
“We, as a club, want to ­participate in this prestigious competition and defend our title, but it would be irresponsible to accept this decision.
“Thus, we have asked the RFL to reconsider its demand and we are now waiting for a decision.
“The players would be very frustrated not to be able to defend their title and we hope that we’ll have an answer as soon as possible.”
Because they are not full members of the RFL, Toronto and Catalans have no automatic right to enter the Challenge Cup, but it would be a major embarrassment for the governing body if the holders are not in the draw for the sixth round in May.
The RFL said in a statement: “We have been surprised and disappointed by the uncertainty over the Catalans Dragons participation in the 2019 Challenge Cup, which surfaced just before Christmas.
“We have been in discussions with the club since then, and will continue those discussions to search for a solution.”
Coincidentally, the competition is set to break new ground when Serbian club Red Star Belgrade make their debut against Cumbrian amateurs Millom in the first round on Jan 27.

The RFL, which reported a loss of £2 million in its last set of accounts for 2017, is still seeking a Challenge Cup sponsor after Ladbrokes failed to renew its backing.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-leagu ... challenge/

Catalans Dragons may not defend the Challenge Cup after being asked to lodge a bond of £500,000.
The cup final has traditionally been a valuable money-earner for the cash-strapped governing body, but last year’s disappointing attendance meant a reduction of around £800,000 in projected income.
Fearful of a repeat, the RFL asked both the Catalans and Toronto Wolfpack to lodge bonds, thought to be in the region of £500,000, in the event of either of them reaching Wembley in 2019 and the Canadian club, after refusing point blank to pay up, will not take part this year.
The Dragons have stopped short of threatening a boycott, but have written to the governing body urging it to reconsider, with ­chairman Bernard Guasch claiming it would be irresponsible for his club to pay the bond.


In a statement, Guasch said: “The club has been officially advised in December that a £500,000 deposit will be asked by the RFL to play in the Challenge Cup in 2019.
“We, as a club, want to ­participate in this prestigious competition and defend our title, but it would be irresponsible to accept this decision.
“Thus, we have asked the RFL to reconsider its demand and we are now waiting for a decision.
“The players would be very frustrated not to be able to defend their title and we hope that we’ll have an answer as soon as possible.”
Because they are not full members of the RFL, Toronto and Catalans have no automatic right to enter the Challenge Cup, but it would be a major embarrassment for the governing body if the holders are not in the draw for the sixth round in May.
The RFL said in a statement: “We have been surprised and disappointed by the uncertainty over the Catalans Dragons participation in the 2019 Challenge Cup, which surfaced just before Christmas.
“We have been in discussions with the club since then, and will continue those discussions to search for a solution.”
Coincidentally, the competition is set to break new ground when Serbian club Red Star Belgrade make their debut against Cumbrian amateurs Millom in the first round on Jan 27.

The RFL, which reported a loss of £2 million in its last set of accounts for 2017, is still seeking a Challenge Cup sponsor after Ladbrokes failed to renew its backing.