London (AFP)
Canadian club Wolfpack Toronto, home to two-time New Zealand world champion Sonny Bill Williams, announced on Monday that it would not participate at the end of the Super League season, the most prestigious rugby league competition in Europe. which is due to resume on August 2.
"The Wolfpack will not participate in the conclusion of the 2020 Super League season, nor the end of the Challenge Cup," said the only transatlantic club in the league which cited "crushing financial challenges" due to the coronavirus pandemic to justify its decision.
A few hours after this withdrawal, the English Rugby Union Federation announced that there would be no relegations at the end of the season.
"There will be no relegation among the 11 teams of the Super League in 2020, for reasons of integrity, for the well-being of the players and also to protect the solvency of the clubs", indicates the Rugby Football League which adds that the Championship and League 1 (2nd and 3rd level under the Super League) will not resume.
The Super League, stopped since March 15, is due to return on August 2. The meetings will be played at first behind closed doors and on neutral ground, complying with the recommendations of the British government.
Twelve clubs initially took part in the competition, ten English clubs as well as the Canadians from Wolfpack and the French from the Catalan Dragons. The teams had played between four and seven games before the end of the championship.
© 2020 AFP