RFL rule in favour of Rochdale after York postponement

The RFL have ruled that Rochdale’s postponed Championship match against York will have to be re-arranged.

The game on Sunday was called off after its original kick-off time due to high winds and safety concerns, which had prevented the covers being removed from the pitch and the posts being erected at the Crown Oil Arena.

York had claimed they should be awarded the points in a statement released following the game, but Rochdale defended vehemently against that.

The RFL statement said: “York had claimed that they should be awarded the match because of the late postponement – and under Operational Rule B1:23, ‘the Board shall decide whether a Club refusing or failing to play a Match shall forfeit the Match and if so whether the points shall be awarded to its opponent or whether the Match shall be replayed’.

“The overriding rationale for this decision is that the Board consider a replay to be necessary in order to protect the integrity of the competition.

“In making the decision, the Board took account of the submissions made by each party, and also considered the views of an independent ground safety expert on the submissions made by Rochdale.

“Rochdale will be responsible for meeting the duplicated costs of the York City Knights team and the RFL Match Officials.

“In addition, the matter will separately be considered by the RFL Compliance Manager as potential Off Field Misconduct by Rochdale Hornets in respect of the failure to have a ground that meets the Laws of the Game and in relation to the process that was followed on the weekend.”