Who is there to enforce this '24 hour rule', the police?

The Premier League/Football Association have NO control over the RFL.

Play the game. There is no-way that a Rugby League match in march could render a pitch unplayable. I'm sure it is up to the referee on the day to decide if the pitch is playable and I can't see any PL ref calling a game off because of a minimal amount of damage. There will probably be pitches in the PL that day in a worse condition that only soccer is played on than at the DW.

The issue of the state of the pitch is a " red herring " the pitch is in good condition there will only be minimal damage it can be turned around in 24hrs no problem.

FFS. There is [sizeNO[/size 24 hour rule saying that Wigan can't play.

The rule simply states that the football must take priority. In other words you cannot move a football match to accomodate the rugby, a concert, pie eating contest or wet t-shirt contest. If Sky, the PL, BBC, the Pope or whoever tell Wigan Athletic they are playing at midnight on a Monday morning then they MUST play at midnight on a Monday morning and any other event must be cancelled or re-arranged. That is the [sizeONLY[/size ruling from the PL that could see a Wigan RLFC game moved.

The so called 24 hour rule is a rule brought in by Dave Whelan because he can't turn the stadium around. Now I presume it doesn't just relate to the pitch or to the stands but to the changing rooms, hospitality, media (there will be a hell of alot more there for a Latics match than a rugby match) and all other behind the scenes aspects. Maybe Omani TV can't set up in less than 24 hours. Maybe it's impossible to run the number of cables needed. Who knows? But this has [sizeNOTHING[/size to do with the Premier League. It is Dave Whelan (saying we can't play Saturday) and the BBC (saying we are playing Saturday) who are to blame.

It would be interesting if the game was moved to hear how BBC reported it. Would Clare Balding say "Hello and welcome to (insert ground here) We should have been at The DW but we stamped our feet and spat our dummy out because we didn't want Sky to show this game so we're here at (insert ground here) and we're quite pleased with ourselves"

And then go to camera shots of a half empty stadium.
Agree with the above totally, it can be MM w/end stadiums have done and are doing it again this year, and the Etiad is larger than DW so more cleaning up etc.
TOTAL FARCE

There is only the cleaning up to do after day 1 of Magic though as all the TV and media stuff is there from the day before.

I don't know how long it takes to get a ground ready for a PL match but it has been done before at the KC I believe.

Like I said, DW and the BBC are the problem. Not the PL and not Wigan Athletic.

As an example.

The Wigan game would finish at around 4.30 on Saturday. Call it 5.00 by the time the stands are cleared and the TV coverage has finished. BBC would then have to clear out the screen and all of their equipment before Sky, ESPN and whoever else is showing the game can come in and start to set their lot up. (BBC would be there too so maybe some of the stuff could stay I don't know)

The stands would need to be cleared and all the advertising boards changed. Same on the concourse with the betting kiosks.

The hospitality rooms would need to be cleared which wouldn't be until around 6-7 and then cleaned up and set up for the Latics game. Latics have the use of 5 lounges. The staff would also need to finish at a certain time so they could legally come back to work the next day for another full day shift or there would need to be more staff available which could mean less staff on each of the days than normal.

The tunnel, entrances, changing rooms and media room would all need to be changed for around 12pm when the players start to arrive.

The pitch would need looking at, painting twice, the posts changed, the flags changed and the grass possibly cut.


I'm sure there's other things that would need doing as well but maybe DW doesn't feel it is possible to do all that in less than 24 hours and get it to the standard that is expected in the PL and advertised by WAFC?

I'm realistic. You however are someone who has no influence over anything on this matter.

So, if you are "ITK", tell us what's happening?

Post tidied up by pemps. I understand everyone's frustration but can we keep insulting posts and swearing to a minimum please?

Don't know what your problem is here.

The facts are I asked Josie to contact the club. She did. She has also had an acknowledgement of my offer from the club. The response said there was a lot going on at the minute and they would get back to us. They are the facts.

Now my offer may not be accepted but at least it has made the point to all concerned that we the fans are not happy about this.

Can we please stop bad-mouthing each other now?

About four years ago me and the lad were at a Wigan Warriors match against Saints on a Friday night (about 23k on) 8pm kick off . The next day we were back at the DW (JJB then) for the Latic's v Bolton Premier League game 3pm kick off (19k on ) . They managed it then ok .

Correction it was against Fulham (17k on)

Maybe it didn't work to plan so they stopped it? Maybe DW still owned us then and truly cared what happened?

Point taken mate .

Dont really care where they play it to be honest. As we are all there to see a Warriors victory . Prefer games away from the DW better apmosphere and banter .

Point taken mate .

Dont really care where they play it to be honest. As long as we are all there to see a Warriors victory . Prefer games away from the DW better apmosphere and banter .

Not being funny, but obviously there's a reason why he doesn't allow it and it won't just be the pitch or because he's an ar$e. Well, I don't think it will.

I heard there's a 24hr rule in place from the FA. Can anyone confirm this?

Not getting involved with this on

Leaving the house now to head down for tonights game