“Not yet appropriate” to specify a rugby league return date
The RFL will discuss the latest government guidelines with clubs – but aren’t going to announce a target date of when we can expect the sport to resume.
All levels of rugby league in the UK has been suspended since March 16 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
On Monday, the government announced that sport in England could return behind closed doors from June 1, providing that targets are hit before then.
An RFL spokesman said: “The RFL has been working in conjunction with DCMS, UK Sport and other sports to agree appropriate protocols relating to the return to training and in due course behind closed doors matches.
“Guidance on the return to training for elite sportsmen and women – individually or in small groups in the first instance – is being finalised at a national level and will then be shared across the sport.
“Work on behind closed doors sport will continue, and each sport will then have to consider how the general national protocols are applied to its sport and effectively rolled out.
“The RFL will continue to work in conjunction with Super League, clubs and with player representatives on what these are for rugby league. These will relate to hygiene, social distancing and testing- with the focus being on appropriately safeguarding all individuals involved.
“Accordingly, it is not yet appropriate to specify a date when rugby league matches will recommence.”
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