Looks like RFL wants to kill off London Skolars - £15k fine half suspended

[IM2]

https://www.totalrl.com/head-coach-suspended-from-any-rugby-league-involvement-for-four-months-after-being-found-guilty-of-using-unacceptable-language-towards-a-touch-judge/

 

Following appeals this week, the RFL confirms the results of Operational Rules Tribunals concerning London Skolars, and the West Wales Raiders coach Ash Bateman.

London Skolars have been fined £15,000, half of which is suspended until the end of the 2024 season, for a number of breaches of the Operational Rules relating to medical standards in the 2022 season – one of which led to the late cancellation of their Betfred League One fixture against Keighley Cougars on July 9.

The Skolars have also been required to pay £500 in compensation to Keighley.

Meanwhile, Ash Bateman has been suspended from any involvement in Rugby League for four months from January 1, and suspended from any involvement on the touchline for 12 months from January 1, after being found guilty of using unacceptable language towards a touch-judge in his role as Head Coach of West Wales Raiders in the Betfred League One fixture against Midlands Hurricanes on August 20.

The original ORT was on October 6, and an appeal this week was dismissed.

London Skolars

Two separate cases were heard at an Operational Rules Tribunal on October 4, chaired by His Honour Roger Thomas KC DL.

The first case considered was triggered by incidents surrounding the Skolars’ fixture against Cornwall on July 30, which included the nomination of a physiotherapist who did not meet the required standards, and no medical reports being filed. This led to other breaches emerging linked to other fixtures.

The second case involved the cancellation of the Keighley fixture because they could not provide adequate medical attendance.

Explaining the verdict, His Honour Thomas wrote:”This consolidated hearing relates to two separate cases, albeit each of them has a common theme in relation to adherence to the RFL’s standards and rules about appropriate and necessary medical supervision at scheduled matches.

“Such standards and rules play an extremely important part in the supervision and regulation of any contact sport. The RFL have clear and sensible rules about such matters which are easily understood and widely published. It is of the utmost importance that these matters are fully implemented and adhered to. They are central to the health and welfare of those who play the game.

“As a starting point the breaches relating to the very important rules about medical attendance and player health/welfare are serious and relatively numerous. Such breaches must be viewed with seriousness and appropriate consequences must follow to both reflect the club’s failings and also to emphasise to other clubs that such matters must be adhered to by them. In that way there should be appropriate punishment which reflects the seriousness of what has happened and also an element of deterrence for other clubs about the consequences of such failings.

“The club mounted a spirited and determined plea in mitigation. They asked for their limited financial situation to be taken into account when any fine was being imposed. They said that they had tried their best to comply with what they further said were the quite onerous and complicated demands of the RFL’s rules and regulations. They had mistakenly relied on assurances from third parties about the level of medical qualification. The Eid festival, which coincided with the cancelled Keighley match, had restricted the availability of medical professionals.”

The Tribunal sought to properly balance these various competing submissions and arguments.

The original hearing was on October 4, with an appeal heard on Thursday evening (November 24) – after which, an additional £2,500 of the fine has been suspended (the club had originally been required to pay two-thirds of the fine – £10,000 – with the remaining £5,000 suspended). The RFL will be in discussions with the club about a payment schedule.

[Les Tonks Sidestep]

More like the Skolars want(ed) to commit suicide. Fortunately there were no health consequences arising from their ignoring medical protocols. 

[gingerjon]

Absolutely no sympathy for the Skolars who appear to have repeatedly put players at risk and then not been honest about it.

As I said elsewhere, the only possible mitigation is that there appear to be issues with the getting people through the RFL medical protocols so they can cover games (Women's Super League games being cancelled etc).

But, other than that, nah.

Medical provision is not some optional extra and the verdict relates to multiple breaches.

[RP London]

18 minutes ago, gingerjon said:

Absolutely no sympathy for the Skolars who appear to have repeatedly put players at risk and then not been honest about it.

As I said elsewhere, the only possible mitigation is that there appear to be issues with the getting people through the RFL medical protocols so they can cover games (Women's Super League games being cancelled etc).

But, other than that, nah.

Medical provision is not some optional extra and the verdict relates to multiple breaches.

Was about to type very similar. I want RL in London to thrive I don't want to see clubs go to the wall.. but part of that includes getting thing like this right. It's too important, think of the consequences on a player or players. Then the reputational risk to the game and to the club along with a further court case brought by the players against the club not having adequate cover.. 

Even away from the damage to the players health, which is unacceptable, the further damage of being sued etc would have more serious repercussions for the club than this fine. In that sense they got off lightly, it could have been a lot, lot worse. 

[David Shepherd]

2 hours ago, IM2 said:

https://www.totalrl.com/head-coach-suspended-from-any-rugby-league-involvement-for-four-months-after-being-found-guilty-of-using-unacceptable-language-towards-a-touch-judge/

 

 

Following appeals this week, the RFL confirms the results of Operational Rules Tribunals concerning London Skolars, and the West Wales Raiders coach Ash Bateman.

London Skolars have been fined £15,000, half of which is suspended until the end of the 2024 season, for a number of breaches of the Operational Rules relating to medical standards in the 2022 season – one of which led to the late cancellation of their Betfred League One fixture against Keighley Cougars on July 9.

The Skolars have also been required to pay £500 in compensation to Keighley.

Meanwhile, Ash Bateman has been suspended from any involvement in Rugby League for four months from January 1, and suspended from any involvement on the touchline for 12 months from January 1, after being found guilty of using unacceptable language towards a touch-judge in his role as Head Coach of West Wales Raiders in the Betfred League One fixture against Midlands Hurricanes on August 20.

The original ORT was on October 6, and an appeal this week was dismissed.

London Skolars

Two separate cases were heard at an Operational Rules Tribunal on October 4, chaired by His Honour Roger Thomas KC DL.

The first case considered was triggered by incidents surrounding the Skolars’ fixture against Cornwall on July 30, which included the nomination of a physiotherapist who did not meet the required standards, and no medical reports being filed. This led to other breaches emerging linked to other fixtures.

The second case involved the cancellation of the Keighley fixture because they could not provide adequate medical attendance.

Explaining the verdict, His Honour Thomas wrote:”This consolidated hearing relates to two separate cases, albeit each of them has a common theme in relation to adherence to the RFL’s standards and rules about appropriate and necessary medical supervision at scheduled matches.

“Such standards and rules play an extremely important part in the supervision and regulation of any contact sport. The RFL have clear and sensible rules about such matters which are easily understood and widely published. It is of the utmost importance that these matters are fully implemented and adhered to. They are central to the health and welfare of those who play the game.

“As a starting point the breaches relating to the very important rules about medical attendance and player health/welfare are serious and relatively numerous. Such breaches must be viewed with seriousness and appropriate consequences must follow to both reflect the club’s failings and also to emphasise to other clubs that such matters must be adhered to by them. In that way there should be appropriate punishment which reflects the seriousness of what has happened and also an element of deterrence for other clubs about the consequences of such failings.

“The club mounted a spirited and determined plea in mitigation. They asked for their limited financial situation to be taken into account when any fine was being imposed. They said that they had tried their best to comply with what they further said were the quite onerous and complicated demands of the RFL’s rules and regulations. They had mistakenly relied on assurances from third parties about the level of medical qualification. The Eid festival, which coincided with the cancelled Keighley match, had restricted the availability of medical professionals.”

The Tribunal sought to properly balance these various competing submissions and arguments.

The original hearing was on October 4, with an appeal heard on Thursday evening (November 24) – after which, an additional £2,500 of the fine has been suspended (the club had originally been required to pay two-thirds of the fine – £10,000 – with the remaining £5,000 suspended). The RFL will be in discussions with the club about a payment schedule.

Interesting take on it.  Perhaps we should allow expansion clubs to get away without providing adequate medical provision.  I assume their players and those of the opposition don't get injured.

Bloody RFL

Edited November 28, 2022 by David Shepherd

[Pie tries]

1 hour ago, Les Tonks Sidestep said:

More like the Skolars want(ed) to commit suicide. Fortunately there were no health consequences arising from their ignoring medical protocols. 

Spot on RFL has duty to players to ensure medical procedures closely followed.

[Tonka]

Wot everyone else sed

[dkw]

How dare the RFL take player health and safety seriously, just let Skolars half ###### it and hope no one ever gets hurt, thats definitely the best way...

[Angelic Cynic]

The RFL have a queue of former players seeking compensation following concussion/head injuries.

Should negligence be proven I suspect the payout to be considerably more than 15k with half suspended for a couple of years.

I am guessing His Honour Roger Thomas KC DL is independent of the RFL.

[meast]

Bit of a silly post heading don't you think?

[Jughead]

Proportionally, that’s probably akin to fining a Super League team £1,000,000, given what it’s suggested these League One clubs get in terms of central funding. That’s quite the financial hit, though if they didn’t commit the offence, they wouldn’t have to face the punishment.

 

[gingerjon]

8 minutes ago, Jughead said:

Proportionally, that’s probably akin to fining a Super League team £1,000,000, given what it’s suggested these League One clubs get in terms of central funding. That’s quite the financial hit, though if they didn’t commit the offence, they wouldn’t have to face the punishment.

 

To make it quite clear, I'd not be against a Super League club being fined to that percentage level in terms of central funding if they committed multiple breaches of mandatory medical cover at games.

[paulwalker71]

No sympathy here for the club.

Also, if £7500 is enough to "kill off" London Skolars, then they aren't a viable club anyway.

[OriginalMrC]

I've said it before but the consequences of not having suitable medical cover doesn't bear thinking about. A strong message needed sending out 

[Midlands hobo]

50 minutes ago, Jughead said:

Proportionally, that’s probably akin to fining a Super League team £1,000,000, given what it’s suggested these League One clubs get in terms of central funding. That’s quite the financial hit, though if they didn’t commit the offence, they wouldn’t have to face the punishment.

 

Could you ever see a fine that big? As for the eid festival making things difficult it's an interesting take and throws up 2 questions. Why was nobody contracted when the fixtures were released. Secondly how come the RFL cannot contract centrally for the games much like OCc Health for their employees. 

Just seems odd that essentials to a game are left upto the club to arrange. Just out of curiosity do the clubs arrange and pay the Ref aswell?

[Northern Eel]

They are lucky they got a proportionate fine, in some respects. Sporting injuries don't discriminate between the size of a club's budget and their severity. Let it be a lesson for anyone else thinking they can use financial challenges to mitigate their failures to protect their players adequately.

[Tippytoe]

I agree whole heartedly regarding player Welfare and there should be repercussions, but its like the Rfl just make up punishments... and when the man at the top makes offensive and damaging comments on the eve of the World Cup what FINE or sanctions were handed out? 

[Tommygilf]

It is difficult this as there are two levels of proportionality that need to be applied to the punishment.

Firstly, the punishment has to be proportionate to the breach. This is clearly very serious malpractice, arguably the worst a club at this level can do.

Secondly, the punishment has to be proportionate to the subject. £15k is a hell of lot of money at this level, possibly not far off all the money that is coming centrally. Relatively it is a massive financial hit, one some of their fans may think is fatal. 

Interspersed between the two above-mentioned "proportionalities" has to be the purpose of the punishment. Will this punishment, implemented as it is, prevent or discourage this from happening again in future? 

It needs to be remembered at all times that it's possible to punish Skolars out of existence in the pro ranks with too much of a punishment focus. Likewise with such financial pressures is it possible that the problem is only likely to be compounded in some way by this punishment?

So it seems entirely fair to take a hard line on medical malpractice. How hard that line is relatively on London Skolars is the issue here.

[RP London]

43 minutes ago, Tommygilf said:

It is difficult this as there are two levels of proportionality that need to be applied to the punishment.

Firstly, the punishment has to be proportionate to the breach. This is clearly very serious malpractice, arguably the worst a club at this level can do.

Secondly, the punishment has to be proportionate to the subject. £15k is a hell of lot of money at this level, possibly not far off all the money that is coming centrally. Relatively it is a massive financial hit, one some of their fans may think is fatal. 

Interspersed between the two above-mentioned "proportionalities" has to be the purpose of the punishment. Will this punishment, implemented as it is, prevent or discourage this from happening again in future? 

It needs to be remembered at all times that it's possible to punish Skolars out of existence in the pro ranks with too much of a punishment focus. Likewise with such financial pressures is it possible that the problem is only likely to be compounded in some way by this punishment?

So it seems entirely fair to take a hard line on medical malpractice. How hard that line is relatively on London Skolars is the issue here.

equally lets look at this in the correct way, they have been fined £7,500 with £7.500 suspended so its not quite as big and that stick is there too to make sure they are more careful because otherwise the 2nd part comes, along with any other punishment for the new breach of protocols. 

Its hard but I think its been done right to hurt but not kill but do it again.... 

I think its fair.. if they cannot make sure the players (of both teams) and also frankly fans, because there are always stories of fans taken ill and the Doctor in charge goes and helps them, are looked after then I'm not sure they deserve their place. 

Edited November 29, 2022 by RP London