Rugby League World Cup Bars Sportal
The Rugby League World Cup 2000 has suspended Sportal Company Ltd's 'Play the Ball's' media accreditation pending further discussions. The World Cup Company acted in good faith to protect Rugby League fans from what they consider to be misleading claims that the website provides live coverage/commentary of matches and to protect its valuable media rights contracts.
Income worth almost £2m has been earned for the sport by the negotiation of these packages and besides meeting the considerable cost of running a global tournament the income derived from exclusive contracts negotiations enables the Rugby League International Federation to continue its development programmes around the world.
Considerable attempts were made to reach a settlement with Sportal but no agreement was reached.
Dave Callaghan, Director of the World Cup Company, with responsibilities for TV and media rights negotiations said: 'Play the Ball's claims to provide live coverage were on one hand almost misleading and on the other hand less than helpful to the sport's desire to raise income for sustenance of its activities and future well-being.
'It is very rare for Rugby League to reach a point of withdrawing media accreditation and we very much regret we had to go through such avenues with Play the Ball.
'It is still our earnest hope that a settlement can be reached which is mutually acceptable.'
JOHN HUXLEY
Media and PR Manager
Issued by the Rugby Football League Media and Marketing Department, Red Hall, Red Hall Lane, Leeds LS17 8NB. Telephone: 0113 237 5014. Fax: 0113 232 3838. E-mail: info@rfl.uk.com.
Income worth almost £2m has been earned for the sport by the negotiation of these packages and besides meeting the considerable cost of running a global tournament the income derived from exclusive contracts negotiations enables the Rugby League International Federation to continue its development programmes around the world.
Considerable attempts were made to reach a settlement with Sportal but no agreement was reached.
Dave Callaghan, Director of the World Cup Company, with responsibilities for TV and media rights negotiations said: 'Play the Ball's claims to provide live coverage were on one hand almost misleading and on the other hand less than helpful to the sport's desire to raise income for sustenance of its activities and future well-being.
'It is very rare for Rugby League to reach a point of withdrawing media accreditation and we very much regret we had to go through such avenues with Play the Ball.
'It is still our earnest hope that a settlement can be reached which is mutually acceptable.'
JOHN HUXLEY
Media and PR Manager
Issued by the Rugby Football League Media and Marketing Department, Red Hall, Red Hall Lane, Leeds LS17 8NB. Telephone: 0113 237 5014. Fax: 0113 232 3838. E-mail: info@rfl.uk.com.