MP calls for Challenge Cup semi-final venue change

Leeds North West MP Greg Mulholland has written to the RFL asking for the venue of this weekend’s Challenge Cup semi-final between London and Wigan to be changed.

The two sides will go head to head at Leigh Sports Village on Saturday, and Broncos fans have raised the issue with the Parliamentary Rugby League Group, of which Mulholland is chairman.

Mulholland said: “I appreciate there are a whole raft of issues that have to be considered when choosing an impartial location for a game of this scale and importance; but the distance fans have to travel should be fundamental. Asking London fans to travel up to Lancashire for a neutral semi-final to be played only five miles away from Wigan is not fair.

“We’ve heard a great deal from the RFL at our regular meetings about the importance placed on the development of the game. Why not find a venue in the midlands and use the game to draw-in a new audience. Perhaps organised in conjunction with one of the new Championship One Clubs or at other suitable stadiums, including football or rugby union grounds.”

The semi-final locations were confirmed on Monday July 15, before Wigan had played Widnes in the fourth and last Challenge Cup quarter-final.

There have also been questions raised on social media about the short turn-around between the quarter-finals and semi-finals.