Wednesday 21 September 2016 20:00, UK
York will not be allowed to go up to the Kingstone Press Championship even if they win the League 1 promotion final because they have no permanent home.
The City Knights have been homeless since leaving the Huntington Stadium two years ago and have so far been unable to reach agreement to play at Bootham Crescent until a proposed new stadium is built for both the city's rugby league and football clubs.
The Rugby Football League says that makes York, who take on Toulouse in the first play-off semi-final on Saturday, ineligible for promotion.
A statement from the governing body said: "Despite working with the club over recent weeks, the York City Knights have been unable to provide the RFL with security of tenure at a ground that meets the necessary standards until the end of the 2017 season.
"This is a requirement under section A2:5 of the Operational Rules."
The RFL also confirmed the club has seven days to appeal the decision.
