Rugby league needs government support, says Warrington chief Karl Fitzpatrick

Warrington chief executive Karl Fitzpatrick says all Super League clubs must run a “lean operation” during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Super League, Championship and League 1 seasons have been suspended indefinitely after COVID-19 swept across the nation.

Fitzpatrick says clubs must run a very lean operation during this difficult time for the sport.

He said: “In the short term, we have to run a lean operation and its probably worth saying there’s not much fat in rugby league clubs anyway.

“We run a lean operation throughout the league.

“In terms of government support, that is what absolutely is going to be required for the whole of the sport. I believe Ralph Rimmer, the chief executive of the RFL, is working really closely with Super League and the whole of the government to hopefully get a financial bailout.

“We are in a slightly stronger position than a number of other clubs but we are not immune from this financial uncertainty as well and we are talking weeks if not months.”

Fitzpatrick has revealed there will be no time for clubs to have a mini pre-season camp for when the game finally does get back underway.

He added: “The players are at home at the moment following government guidelines and the issue is just the uncertainty and the unknown.

“The players have been given home (training) programmes and nutrition plans because we can’t afford a mini pre-season when the games start up again.

“We’ve got to go straight at it. We need those revenue streams coming in straight away, so the players need to be ready and looking after themselves while they are at home.”

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