RFL investigating Keighley saga

The Rugby Football League are investigating the current situation at Keighley, Love Rugby League understands.

Ex-players and staff of the Cougars have not been paid for nearly three months, according to former player Ritchie Hawkyard.

The full-back, who has now joined Oldham ahead of 2019, claims players and staff had been made ‘false promises’ by the League 1 club in regards to payments of wages.

Hawkyard said: “Players and staff have not been paid for nearly three months now.

“They keep on lying to us and giving us false promise. Two weeks ago, they sent us all cheques but they all bounced. They are banging our heads against the wall now and we don’t know who to go to because we’ve tried places already.

“They’ve also not paid anyone’s taxes all year but have been taking it off us. None of the players or staff have been paid. They’ve not even paid some of the money.

“There is still no word on when we will be paid.”

But Love Rugby League understands that the RFL have stepped in and are carrying out an investigation after becoming concerned by the current situation.

Love Rugby League has contacted the Keighley club for comment but the Cougars are yet to issue an official reply.