rlhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/8027116.stmrl

Has anybody read this?

If the MP's suceed in boosting Halifax to the SL next season doesn't that render the whole franchise system a bit of a farce? Teams like Widnes will be clamouring to be allowed in before the franchises are reveiwed again. And what about the league numbers? there's already 14 teams, by adding Halifax would we have to drop a team?

*Rugbychick*

To drop a team, the RFL would face 14 lawsuits. The Shay is half finished and this is the first time they've challenged the top few spots of the National Leagues for years.

I just find it quite ridiculous that MP's are getting involved like this. By the suggestion of bumping Fax next year they are basically setting a precedence for any club winning a trophy or finishing top of the league to challenge the rule about waiting for the franchise reviews. The whole thing would just be reduced to a bit of a farce. Personally I like the franchise system, I think it really give opportunity to developing clubs and clubs coming up from National Leagues. Look how fantastic our SL is this season, never truly being able to judge who will win what game, it's a real compitition. What right have the MP's got to get involved in a sport they usually just ignore???

Rugbychick

The only way that Halifax or Widnes will get in within the next 3 years is if someone like Celtic or Salford go bankrupt due to the credit crunch!

put them in and kick celtic out they are a disgrace and should never of made superleague how does a team losing all 27 games(which they will do) boost the game???

We can only hope Dessie.

If Halifax can compete at the top of league 1 or whatever it is now called for the next 2+1/2 years and complete the Shay then they should have a good chance of coming up. Add Widnes, Leigh and maybe 1 or 2 others and the next round of licence applications and there maybe a couple of current super league clubs feeling a little upset.

Mps shouldn't be getting involved in this, or any sport it all ways leads to problems.

Agreed, but "Rattling the RLFC`s cage" in this manner, could end up coming back and biting them in the ar$e, when licence applications are up for grabs in the future!!!

Celtic and Salford were both top of NL1 last year though

They might as well scream and scream and scream until their sick, it'll have the same effect. Just politicians starting their elelction campaigns early.

add halifax and widnes (widnes because i want our derby bk ) and have 16 tems

And....breath.

I know what you mean but didn't Celtic and Salford finish in the top 2 last year. So if you were going to promote 2 teams then surely they would merit promotion

Spoke to my missus about this (she is a corporate lawyer) and she believes they may have an opportunity to challenge the franchise system under Articles 81/85 of the European Convention as they could potentially argue the franchise system operates contrary to competition law. Key to the argument would be classifying Halifax RLFC as a business rather than simply a rugby club. Whether they have the will (and pocket depth) to do it is another thing.

If the RFL have writtien the franchise criteria into their bye laws, then they could be on a sticky wicket. I'm pretty sure one of the bye laws is: challenge them; face expulsion.

PS

bye laws should read operational rules.