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.
Rugby League needs a real “World” Cup.
Rugby League needs a real “World” Cup.
Two years before the 2021 Rugby League World Cup, it is probably time to think about the contribution of the tournament to the global development of the sport.
It doesn’t help us being optimistic about the future, as we see that the countries qualifying, are consisted mainly of “heritage” players from Australia. Domestic players have no chance to represent their country in the World Cup.
The 2017 Rugby League World Cup, was interesting according to many fans of the game, but if someone cares for the future of League, it was a clear sign of a troubled situation. It was obvious that if there wasn’t NRL or/and other Aussie Leagues, the tournament wouldn’t have enough players to make it happen.
And if you take a second glance, you’ll realize that only four or five countries had players really representing the domestic sport.
Take a look at the statistics:
Australia – Genuine (all NRL palyers),
New Zealand - almost Genuine (23 in NRL, six of them in NZ Warriors and one in RFL),
PNG – Genuine (ten in PNG, two in RFL/SL and two in Australia,
England – Genuine (18 in RFL/SL and six in NRL),
France – Genuine (17 in France and 8 in England),
Samoa – no connection with domestic activity (23 NRL, 1 RFL),
Fiji - no real connection with domestic activity (only one in Fiji, 19 NRL, 2 RFL/SL, 1 in Australia and one in Toronto),
Scotland – no connection with domestic activity (none in Scotland, 9 RFL/SL, 9 in England, 3 NRL, one in Australia and two in Toulouse),
Tonga - no connection with domestic activity (none in Tonga, 18 in NRL, 6 RFL/SL),
Lebanon - no connection with domestic activity (1 in Lebanon, 13 NRL, 11 in Australia),
USA - almost genuine (eleven in USA, two in Canada, one in RFL and one in England, seven in Australia and one in Toulouse,
Wales – almost genuine (two play in Wales, twelve play in RFL, seven in various English teams, one in Toronto and two in Australia).
Ireland - no real connection with domestic activity (only two in Ireland, fifteen in RFL/SL, one in Australia plus one in NRL, four in England and one in Toronto),
Italy - no connection with domestic activity (only one in Italy, nine in NRL, two in RFL/SL, eight in Australia, one in England and one in France).
Australia, Papua New Guinea, England, France and USA, were consisted of players who had played mostly in their own countries and came from the domestic development. The others did not represent the domestic activity of their countries.
There are examples of countries with real domestic development: Russia, Serbia and South Africa, are operating domestic tournaments for many years but they could never compete the NRL players in the World Cup Qualifiers.
The RLIF did not support the genuine national teams to qualify. Russia and Serbia are full members for a long time and the Qualification rules were supposed to help them qualify if their opponents were just affiliated. But at the last minute, the RLIF promoted “Italy” afterwards in order to allow them qualify, despite the time limit was the end of 2016. Similarly, they created a group of two countries in order to help Lebanon qualify. Using such tricks, the International Body prevented Serbia and Russia from qualifying to the World Cup.
Despite the conspiracy theories, is NRL the future of the game?
Let’s take a look at the most developed sports of the globe: Football (soccer) and Basketball.
The first big scale international football (soccer) tournament, was the Olympics’ tournament at the 1900 and 1904 Games.
Professional players were not allowed in the Olympic Tournament until 1984. Since 1992 male competitors must be under 23 years old, and since 1996, players under 23 years old, with three over-23 year old players, are allowed per squad.
The FIFA policy about the Olympic tournament led to the development of more countries’ level. Although in most countries football is professional, the sport is still developing in international level as players under 23 year old, have the chance to play for their National / Olympic team.
The first basketball World Cup took place in 1950. The NBA players were not allowed to participate in it. The first year when NBA players were accepted in FIBA World Cup, was 1994. They dominated the tournament, but it was in 2002 when the United States team, made up entirely of NBA players, struggled to a sixth-place finish.
In 2006, the USA team, once more made up entirely of NBA players, lost the semi-final from Greece and finished third in the tournament.
The early World Cup years exclusion of the top professionals of the sport, led to the rising of the other nations’ level, which reached the top NBA level.
Talking about Rugby League World Cup, it is safe to claim that excluding players coming from the top professional leagues (NRL and Super League), shall give the chance to the rest of the players, teams and nations, develop further the sport and reach the professional level sooner or later.
So, the future calls us with a clear message: Let’s have a World Cup, without professional players, with strict domestic quota, in order to see some day our sport raising its’ level high, across the globe.
Tasos Pantazidis
November 2019
Two years before the 2021 Rugby League World Cup, it is probably time to think about the contribution of the tournament to the global development of the sport.
It doesn’t help us being optimistic about the future, as we see that the countries qualifying, are consisted mainly of “heritage” players from Australia. Domestic players have no chance to represent their country in the World Cup.
The 2017 Rugby League World Cup, was interesting according to many fans of the game, but if someone cares for the future of League, it was a clear sign of a troubled situation. It was obvious that if there wasn’t NRL or/and other Aussie Leagues, the tournament wouldn’t have enough players to make it happen.
And if you take a second glance, you’ll realize that only four or five countries had players really representing the domestic sport.
Take a look at the statistics:
Australia – Genuine (all NRL palyers),
New Zealand - almost Genuine (23 in NRL, six of them in NZ Warriors and one in RFL),
PNG – Genuine (ten in PNG, two in RFL/SL and two in Australia,
England – Genuine (18 in RFL/SL and six in NRL),
France – Genuine (17 in France and 8 in England),
Samoa – no connection with domestic activity (23 NRL, 1 RFL),
Fiji - no real connection with domestic activity (only one in Fiji, 19 NRL, 2 RFL/SL, 1 in Australia and one in Toronto),
Scotland – no connection with domestic activity (none in Scotland, 9 RFL/SL, 9 in England, 3 NRL, one in Australia and two in Toulouse),
Tonga - no connection with domestic activity (none in Tonga, 18 in NRL, 6 RFL/SL),
Lebanon - no connection with domestic activity (1 in Lebanon, 13 NRL, 11 in Australia),
USA - almost genuine (eleven in USA, two in Canada, one in RFL and one in England, seven in Australia and one in Toulouse,
Wales – almost genuine (two play in Wales, twelve play in RFL, seven in various English teams, one in Toronto and two in Australia).
Ireland - no real connection with domestic activity (only two in Ireland, fifteen in RFL/SL, one in Australia plus one in NRL, four in England and one in Toronto),
Italy - no connection with domestic activity (only one in Italy, nine in NRL, two in RFL/SL, eight in Australia, one in England and one in France).
Australia, Papua New Guinea, England, France and USA, were consisted of players who had played mostly in their own countries and came from the domestic development. The others did not represent the domestic activity of their countries.
There are examples of countries with real domestic development: Russia, Serbia and South Africa, are operating domestic tournaments for many years but they could never compete the NRL players in the World Cup Qualifiers.
The RLIF did not support the genuine national teams to qualify. Russia and Serbia are full members for a long time and the Qualification rules were supposed to help them qualify if their opponents were just affiliated. But at the last minute, the RLIF promoted “Italy” afterwards in order to allow them qualify, despite the time limit was the end of 2016. Similarly, they created a group of two countries in order to help Lebanon qualify. Using such tricks, the International Body prevented Serbia and Russia from qualifying to the World Cup.
Despite the conspiracy theories, is NRL the future of the game?
Let’s take a look at the most developed sports of the globe: Football (soccer) and Basketball.
The first big scale international football (soccer) tournament, was the Olympics’ tournament at the 1900 and 1904 Games.
Professional players were not allowed in the Olympic Tournament until 1984. Since 1992 male competitors must be under 23 years old, and since 1996, players under 23 years old, with three over-23 year old players, are allowed per squad.
The FIFA policy about the Olympic tournament led to the development of more countries’ level. Although in most countries football is professional, the sport is still developing in international level as players under 23 year old, have the chance to play for their National / Olympic team.
The first basketball World Cup took place in 1950. The NBA players were not allowed to participate in it. The first year when NBA players were accepted in FIBA World Cup, was 1994. They dominated the tournament, but it was in 2002 when the United States team, made up entirely of NBA players, struggled to a sixth-place finish.
In 2006, the USA team, once more made up entirely of NBA players, lost the semi-final from Greece and finished third in the tournament.
The early World Cup years exclusion of the top professionals of the sport, led to the rising of the other nations’ level, which reached the top NBA level.
Talking about Rugby League World Cup, it is safe to claim that excluding players coming from the top professional leagues (NRL and Super League), shall give the chance to the rest of the players, teams and nations, develop further the sport and reach the professional level sooner or later.
So, the future calls us with a clear message: Let’s have a World Cup, without professional players, with strict domestic quota, in order to see some day our sport raising its’ level high, across the globe.
Tasos Pantazidis
November 2019
