I seem to remember the RFL making an example of Barrow Raiders chairman, Des Johnston, a couple of years ago for breaching salary cap rules and making payments "off the books" to players. rlJohnston was banned from any involvment with the running of a Rugby League club for 8 yearsrl. Surely if Koukash does the same, he'll be penalised in the same manner? Maybe he wont since he has money and Superleague is a different kettle of fish from Championship RL.

Its one thing for the RFL to censure somebody like Johnston and another thing entirely do take on an intelligent individual with more money than them. However, they do have a penchant for making bad decisions so I wont hold my breath should it come to this.

Because I'm the one with an argument set in my head. Right. And I'm not sure why you think I'm ranting. Anyway.

Almost everything you say there is right, Yes you can't be limited to joining competitors for life ... That's like saying all of Wigans contracts including a clause saying they can't sign for saints ... A perfectly valid point, and as I said, restraint of trade would be the case if there were an agreement by the clubs alone, without governing body rules, to only pay x amount, but as it's the rules of a competition, there's no colluding (since other competitions don't have the same rules - it would be interesting from a legal standpoint, if the rfl and nrl set the same salary cap ... Not that that will ever happen)

It's a very easy argument to prove the aim of the salary cap is not cheap labour, as not all clubs are spending to the cap ...

Don't get me wrong, I'm not a massive fan of the cap, and there are lots of things wrong with it (mainly it's the bottom clubs dictating it's value as opposed the top) but it's not illegal.

Quote: Magic Superbeetle "Okay. He can try to claim restraint of trade. He would fail. It's simple. Salford (or anyone else) can sign as many players, on as much as they like. They cannot register them within the competition that is super league unless they fit agreed criteria. In the same way that, for example, judo can impose weight restrictions, or barla can age restrictions, the rfl can impose restrictions on player compensations (or in the actual case, combined player compensation) so long as they don't aim to collude with barla, the nrl or any other body to determine the fair price of player compensation. (For further info look up the trade case of electrical engineers vs agreements made by Google and apple.) And tribunal would simply say, break the rules of the competition and don't like the sanctum brought down? Don't register for the competition.'" You are not correct. A salary cap is a restraint of trade. A quick search on google found this piece from a leading barristers' chambers: www.monckton.com/docs/library/Salary%20Caps.pdf

Quote: Magic Superbeetle "Okay. He can try to claim restraint of trade. He would fail. It's simple. Salford (or anyone else) can sign as many players, on as much as they like. They cannot register them within the competition that is super league unless they fit agreed criteria. In the same way that, for example, judo can impose weight restrictions, or barla can age restrictions, the rfl can impose restrictions on player compensations (or in the actual case, combined player compensation) so long as they don't aim to collude with barla, the nrl or any other body to determine the fair price of player compensation. (For further info look up the trade case of electrical engineers vs agreements made by Google and apple.) And tribunal would simply say, break the rules of the competition and don't like the sanctum brought down? Don't register for the competition.'" You are not correct. A salary cap is a restraint of trade. A quick search on google found this piece from a leading barristers' chambers: www.monckton.com/docs/library/Salary%20Caps.pdf

You are right that the RFL could try to defend the SC. The problem they would have is that it has been a failure in its own terms, whether the goal is preventing financial failure or bringing about a level playing field. It has however succeeded in massively reducing player wages in real terms. That is not a good position to be arguing from.... !!!

Restraint of trade or not, no club or player has yet decided to challenge the imposition of a salary cap.

So they are either all happy with it, or are getting round it to whatever degree.

IL is happy with it and sees no reason to increase it. I presume therefore he hopes no one [iis[/i breaking it.

It can't stay at the same level forever though. It will have to increase sooner rather than later or being a full time RL player won't be worth the effort.

The fact most clubs (including Wigan given IL is "poor" compared to Moran or Koukash) can't afford an increase won't change that.

It either goes up or the game will become semi-pro once more.

DaveO, it will only go up when there is a greater input from some of the smaller clubs, and the RFL also get more money into the game.... Or do you just want to lay the blame for the world's ills at IL's door, as per usual. Please tell us how we get more money into the game, I'll expect a 400 page report by lunch time Saturday. Perhaps the article below may help, taken from VT www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/ ... 6789889864 For what it's worth, i do think that RL is in a parlous state, and many have been expressing concern for sometime.

DaveO, it will only go up when there is a greater input from some of the smaller clubs, and the RFL also get more money into the game.... Or do you just want to lay the blame for the world's ills at IL's door, as per usual. Please tell us how we get more money into the game, I'll expect a 400 page report by lunch time Saturday. Perhaps the article below may help, taken from VT www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/ ... 6789889864 For what it's worth, i do think that RL is in a parlous state, and many have been expressing concern for sometime.