The founding General Assembly took place in Athens Greece and it was the result of long-time talks and efforts, of people from all over the World.
People who love the sport of Rugby League and suffer from discrimination, illegalities, arbitrary interference in their internal affairs and domination from other organizations, decided to put an end to all these and form a new International Federation, that will invest on domestic development and sports values.
Our Statute, Rules, Regulations and Circulars, are in-line with the Olympic Charter requirements, as we want to establish a new, international environment for the sport of Rugby League.
Not only the founding members, but also many domestic federations, associations, leagues, clubs and individuals have approached us so as to widen the range of countries and territories who wish to become part of the international rugby league sport family.
We consider no-one as enemy. Rugby Union, American Football, Gaelic Football, Australian Football, Soccer, Handball, ect are part of the same athletic heritage that comes from the far past and drives the future forward, in a world of sportsmanship, solidarity and friendship.
People who love the sport of Rugby League and suffer from discrimination, illegalities, arbitrary interference in their internal affairs and domination from other organizations, decided to put an end to all these and form a new International Federation, that will invest on domestic development and sports values.
Our Statute, Rules, Regulations and Circulars, are in-line with the Olympic Charter requirements, as we want to establish a new, international environment for the sport of Rugby League.
Not only the founding members, but also many domestic federations, associations, leagues, clubs and individuals have approached us so as to widen the range of countries and territories who wish to become part of the international rugby league sport family.
We consider no-one as enemy. Rugby Union, American Football, Gaelic Football, Australian Football, Soccer, Handball, ect are part of the same athletic heritage that comes from the far past and drives the future forward, in a world of sportsmanship, solidarity and friendship.
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ARTICLES / VIEWS
HYPOCRISY IS THE REAL PROBLEM IN RUGBY LEAGUE
HYPOCRISY IS THE REAL PROBLEM IN RUGBY LEAGUE
There are many articles in which some journalists are trying to figure out the real problem about rugby league globally.
Many claim that “rebellions” are the real problem and they connect them with the 1890’s schism as a culture in the sport.
I respect everyone’s opinion, but this is like trying to hide the “elephant in the room”.
Hypocrisy is the real problem in Rugby League. To be honest, it’s one of the biggest problems, together with the “thirst” of professional administrators from Australia and England to dominate control in every single country.
Let’s see together some “inconvenient true” facts.
Telling lies about the status in Norway.
RLEF announced on their website that in Norway “rugby league has been officially recognised by the Norwegian government”. The truth is that the sport is under the authority of the Rugby Union Federation, together with Gaelic and Australian Football. The “Norges Rugbyforbund” had only formed a committee about the sport of Rugby League and the Government had no involvement in that. The Rugby League teams, are members of the “Norges Rugbyforbund”. This is the real situation as you can realise by yourselves on the “Norges Rugbyforbund” website.
“Rugby League can’t be under another sport”.
RLEF and RLIF, claim that a national rugby league organization can’t be under another sport. It is unacceptable for them. Is it true? Let’s see…
Norway is represented in RLEF/RLIF, by “Rugby League Norge” (Affiliate member). In fact, as everybody knows, Norwegian Rugby League is part of “Norges Rugbyforbund”. This is the sole rugby federation in Norway and they are members of the “World Rugby” (former IRB). In case you visit their web site, you will realize that “Norges Rugbyforbund” has the authority for Rugby League Championships, coaches ect. Despite the fact that RLEF refers to Norway as affiliated with RLEF since 2011, they also admit that the sport is part of the Rugby Union Federation of Norway and has only been recognized as a sport in 2019.
So in the Norwegian case, RLEF doesn’t have a problem with “Rugby League being under another sport”.
In Norway, Rugby League is part of the Rugby Union Federation, but RLEF is recognising them.
In Italy, “Lega Italiana Rugby Football League” is part of the Rugby Union Federation, although they are a separate legal entity with their own board, but they are not recognised by RLEF and they are accused of being “union - favors”.
In Greece, the “Rugby League Committee” is part of the “Hellenic Federation of Modern Pentathlon”, but they are not recognised by RLEF.
National teams withdrawing from matches.
Recently, RLEF stated that they decided to replace Russia with Serbia, in the group two, of the final European World Cup qualifiers, “after the Russians were withdrawn”. Tournament Director for the qualification games Chris Thair said: “Russia’s withdrawal is unfortunate; however, all parties agreed it was the right course of action. After expressing concerns over their preparations and readiness to play, I made a recommendation that was backed by the RLEF”.
I believe that the decision was taken for the benefit of the sport. The question is: why didn’t they do the same thing with Greece in 2015?
As many people know, “Hellas Rugby League” was abandoned by the Greek/Aussies as a pressure measure in order to gain control of the domestic federation. Despite the fact that the Greek-Aussies had guaranteed to RLEF the financial stability and coverage of the Greek national team expenses and despite the fact that “Hellas Rugby League” asked for postponing the match in Malta, RLEF decided to expel the federation for “wilfully acting in a manner prejudicial to the interests of the RLEF and international rugby league”. According to Malta Rugby League, RLEF knew the risk, but nobody had informed the HRL. The match Malta vs Greece, was awarded to Malta, without giving the chance to Greece for another date.
So, in the Russian case, RLEF protected the Russian Association from damage, but some years ago they eliminated the Greek Federation in favour of a new group under the control of the Greek/Aussies.
International game and heritage players.
Take a look at the “2018 Emerging Nations World Cup”. It was embarrassing. Teams full of “heritage players” living in Australia, playing for their countries for the benefit of their managers who were looking for good performing that would lead to transfers to better professional teams.
See some examples:
Malta won the Cup. Did they represent the domestic game? In Malta they do not even run a championship.
Hungary finished fourth. Did they represent the domestic game? In Hungary they do not even run a championship.
The teams of Malta, Hungary, Greece, Turkey, ect, were consisted on a vast majority of players living in Australia. Was it a real representation of their countries? Was it supporting the domestic development?
Puppet “organizations” instead of real federations.
We all know cases in some countries, where RLEF/RLIF seems to be affiliated with persons or companies, as if they were recognized federations.
F.e. in Pakistan, RLIF cooperates with Mr Muhammad Abdullah as “Pakistan Rugby League” although the “Pakistan Rugby League” has a Board of directors and they are members of WRL.
Tonga RL, has been suspended by RLIF, violating any sense of self-government and statutes. The Tongan Board, was not assigned by RLIF nor by the Government. They were elected by the federation members and no-one except them has the right to replace them.
German RL Board, had been replaced with fast-track procedures, with new administrators, without a members’ general assembly deciding that. The decision was taken in Leeds and London.
Greek Rugby League Federation had been replaced with a two-member company, as RLEF member, through fake accusations, despite the fact that the vast majority of the clubs supported the Federation. The RL Committee is recognized by the government, but not by RLEF/RLIF.
In Italy the National Olympic Committee recognizes LIRFL through FIR, but RLEF/RLIF recognizes FIRL as member.
There are also numerous cases where RLIF deals with individuals or groups, instead of real active and legal organizations, naming the latter as “rebels”.
If only they cared about fulfilling the GAISF quota of the “40 national federations recognized by their countries’ highest sporting authorities”, they would cooperate with the legal and recognized organizations in every country. On the contrary, they spend money and efforts to fight them and impose the directors who are controlled by Australian or English administrators.
Changing rules, according with who has to comply with them.
During the 2017 World Cup qualification process, RLIF had decided that “All four regions will reveal their qualification programmes by October 2014 and the process will still be open to Affiliate members who gain Full status in the interim. The nations taking part in the 2017 World Cup will be decided by 1st December 2016”. Italy (FIRL) have been granted full member status of the Rugby League European Federation in March 2017. So, at “1st December 2016” Italy should loose qualification, in favour of Russia, as Russia were full members and Italy weren’t. But RLIF didn’t follow their own decisions. They allowed the Aussie – controlled FIRL to qualify instead of the Russians. Eventually, that decision led to the collapse of the Russian Association who withdrew from the 2021 qualification process….
At the 2017 World Cup qualification process again, RLEF decided to form an extra qualification group. Lebanon and South Africa would compete for the qualification. As a result, the Aussie – backed Lebanon, won easily the domestic South Africans. I suppose that RLEF General Manager Danny Kazandjian (a Lebanese himself) became very happy about this qualification.
In short terms, it’s true that some RL administrators focus on destructing nations, players and fans, hiding or manipulating the true facts, provide inaccurate information, in order to control and manipulate the international game.
Take a look at the other big team sports. Look how they deal with their members, how they encourage domestic administrators and how they invest to the development and growth of the sport.
It is time to change. Not to change the logo, but the mentality. Not to establish control, but to establish transparency. Not to talk, but to act.
For the benefit of the athletes,
For the benefit of the fans,
For the benefit of the great sport of rugby league.
October 2019.
Tasos Pantazidis.
There are many articles in which some journalists are trying to figure out the real problem about rugby league globally.
Many claim that “rebellions” are the real problem and they connect them with the 1890’s schism as a culture in the sport.
I respect everyone’s opinion, but this is like trying to hide the “elephant in the room”.
Hypocrisy is the real problem in Rugby League. To be honest, it’s one of the biggest problems, together with the “thirst” of professional administrators from Australia and England to dominate control in every single country.
Let’s see together some “inconvenient true” facts.
Telling lies about the status in Norway.
RLEF announced on their website that in Norway “rugby league has been officially recognised by the Norwegian government”. The truth is that the sport is under the authority of the Rugby Union Federation, together with Gaelic and Australian Football. The “Norges Rugbyforbund” had only formed a committee about the sport of Rugby League and the Government had no involvement in that. The Rugby League teams, are members of the “Norges Rugbyforbund”. This is the real situation as you can realise by yourselves on the “Norges Rugbyforbund” website.
“Rugby League can’t be under another sport”.
RLEF and RLIF, claim that a national rugby league organization can’t be under another sport. It is unacceptable for them. Is it true? Let’s see…
Norway is represented in RLEF/RLIF, by “Rugby League Norge” (Affiliate member). In fact, as everybody knows, Norwegian Rugby League is part of “Norges Rugbyforbund”. This is the sole rugby federation in Norway and they are members of the “World Rugby” (former IRB). In case you visit their web site, you will realize that “Norges Rugbyforbund” has the authority for Rugby League Championships, coaches ect. Despite the fact that RLEF refers to Norway as affiliated with RLEF since 2011, they also admit that the sport is part of the Rugby Union Federation of Norway and has only been recognized as a sport in 2019.
So in the Norwegian case, RLEF doesn’t have a problem with “Rugby League being under another sport”.
In Norway, Rugby League is part of the Rugby Union Federation, but RLEF is recognising them.
In Italy, “Lega Italiana Rugby Football League” is part of the Rugby Union Federation, although they are a separate legal entity with their own board, but they are not recognised by RLEF and they are accused of being “union - favors”.
In Greece, the “Rugby League Committee” is part of the “Hellenic Federation of Modern Pentathlon”, but they are not recognised by RLEF.
National teams withdrawing from matches.
Recently, RLEF stated that they decided to replace Russia with Serbia, in the group two, of the final European World Cup qualifiers, “after the Russians were withdrawn”. Tournament Director for the qualification games Chris Thair said: “Russia’s withdrawal is unfortunate; however, all parties agreed it was the right course of action. After expressing concerns over their preparations and readiness to play, I made a recommendation that was backed by the RLEF”.
I believe that the decision was taken for the benefit of the sport. The question is: why didn’t they do the same thing with Greece in 2015?
As many people know, “Hellas Rugby League” was abandoned by the Greek/Aussies as a pressure measure in order to gain control of the domestic federation. Despite the fact that the Greek-Aussies had guaranteed to RLEF the financial stability and coverage of the Greek national team expenses and despite the fact that “Hellas Rugby League” asked for postponing the match in Malta, RLEF decided to expel the federation for “wilfully acting in a manner prejudicial to the interests of the RLEF and international rugby league”. According to Malta Rugby League, RLEF knew the risk, but nobody had informed the HRL. The match Malta vs Greece, was awarded to Malta, without giving the chance to Greece for another date.
So, in the Russian case, RLEF protected the Russian Association from damage, but some years ago they eliminated the Greek Federation in favour of a new group under the control of the Greek/Aussies.
International game and heritage players.
Take a look at the “2018 Emerging Nations World Cup”. It was embarrassing. Teams full of “heritage players” living in Australia, playing for their countries for the benefit of their managers who were looking for good performing that would lead to transfers to better professional teams.
See some examples:
Malta won the Cup. Did they represent the domestic game? In Malta they do not even run a championship.
Hungary finished fourth. Did they represent the domestic game? In Hungary they do not even run a championship.
The teams of Malta, Hungary, Greece, Turkey, ect, were consisted on a vast majority of players living in Australia. Was it a real representation of their countries? Was it supporting the domestic development?
Puppet “organizations” instead of real federations.
We all know cases in some countries, where RLEF/RLIF seems to be affiliated with persons or companies, as if they were recognized federations.
F.e. in Pakistan, RLIF cooperates with Mr Muhammad Abdullah as “Pakistan Rugby League” although the “Pakistan Rugby League” has a Board of directors and they are members of WRL.
Tonga RL, has been suspended by RLIF, violating any sense of self-government and statutes. The Tongan Board, was not assigned by RLIF nor by the Government. They were elected by the federation members and no-one except them has the right to replace them.
German RL Board, had been replaced with fast-track procedures, with new administrators, without a members’ general assembly deciding that. The decision was taken in Leeds and London.
Greek Rugby League Federation had been replaced with a two-member company, as RLEF member, through fake accusations, despite the fact that the vast majority of the clubs supported the Federation. The RL Committee is recognized by the government, but not by RLEF/RLIF.
In Italy the National Olympic Committee recognizes LIRFL through FIR, but RLEF/RLIF recognizes FIRL as member.
There are also numerous cases where RLIF deals with individuals or groups, instead of real active and legal organizations, naming the latter as “rebels”.
If only they cared about fulfilling the GAISF quota of the “40 national federations recognized by their countries’ highest sporting authorities”, they would cooperate with the legal and recognized organizations in every country. On the contrary, they spend money and efforts to fight them and impose the directors who are controlled by Australian or English administrators.
Changing rules, according with who has to comply with them.
During the 2017 World Cup qualification process, RLIF had decided that “All four regions will reveal their qualification programmes by October 2014 and the process will still be open to Affiliate members who gain Full status in the interim. The nations taking part in the 2017 World Cup will be decided by 1st December 2016”. Italy (FIRL) have been granted full member status of the Rugby League European Federation in March 2017. So, at “1st December 2016” Italy should loose qualification, in favour of Russia, as Russia were full members and Italy weren’t. But RLIF didn’t follow their own decisions. They allowed the Aussie – controlled FIRL to qualify instead of the Russians. Eventually, that decision led to the collapse of the Russian Association who withdrew from the 2021 qualification process….
At the 2017 World Cup qualification process again, RLEF decided to form an extra qualification group. Lebanon and South Africa would compete for the qualification. As a result, the Aussie – backed Lebanon, won easily the domestic South Africans. I suppose that RLEF General Manager Danny Kazandjian (a Lebanese himself) became very happy about this qualification.
In short terms, it’s true that some RL administrators focus on destructing nations, players and fans, hiding or manipulating the true facts, provide inaccurate information, in order to control and manipulate the international game.
Take a look at the other big team sports. Look how they deal with their members, how they encourage domestic administrators and how they invest to the development and growth of the sport.
It is time to change. Not to change the logo, but the mentality. Not to establish control, but to establish transparency. Not to talk, but to act.
For the benefit of the athletes,
For the benefit of the fans,
For the benefit of the great sport of rugby league.
October 2019.
Tasos Pantazidis.
