Finnigan wins test case

Bulls forward overturns RFU decision

By Will Wood   Last updated: 20th June 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Finnigan wins test case

Finnigan: Relieved

Whilst we support sensible moves that will enhance English rugby league on the international stage, Simon's situation highlights the potential of the rules to discriminate unlawfully.

Peter Hood
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Bradford Bulls forward Simon Finnigan has won a test case which excludes him from the club's overseas quota for next season.

In a move designed to increase the number of players competing for international selection, Super League clubs will be limited to a maximum of eight overseas players among their 25-man squads.

The 26-year old was born in England but emigrated to Australia with his parents at the age of four, returning at the age of 21 as he pursued a career in rugby league.

The Rugby Football League deemed Finnigan to be ineligible for home-grown status, a decision which threatened to end his career at Bradford.

However, the test case success, led by former Bradford Bulls chairman and current sports lawyer Chris Caisley, sees the former Widnes and Salford second-rower retain his place in the squad and he is now in line for a new contract to extend his stay at the Grattan Odsal Stadium.

On the success, Caisley said: "Simon is very pleased that following representations we made the RFL have decided that, henceforth, Simon will be treated no differently to a player who has been 'federation-trained'."

Bradford chairman, Peter Hood, said: "Whilst we support sensible moves that will enhance English rugby league on the international stage, Simon's situation highlights the potential of the rules to discriminate unlawfully.

"Had the board of the RFL not taken the enlightened stance they have and awarded Simon his exemption then we should have felt compelled to support him in seeking justice through the courts."

Comments (2)

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Brian Barton says...

I do agree with some of the comment made that we should protect the home grown talent. But Simon was born in this country and if he wishes to play in the British game then why should he be stopped from playing He is a hard working player whom i believe as been a good signing for the Bulls . Also if we as a sport are going to discriminate players from overseas playing in our competion. Surely we are in danger of being taken to court under the employment laws of dicrimination against a race of people where ever they are born or is a Rugby League Club exempt from this as an employer

Posted 12:32 20th June 2008

Mitch Loftus says...

Brilliant! The RFL comes up with a great idea to stop the number of overseas players playing in our teams and a sports lawyer gets an exemption for the club that he has strong links to. Leaving the country at 4 and then returning at 21 may qualify you for a passport, but hardly does it constitute being "home-grown". Which club's Academy was he with? Oh, of course! Bradford's. They must be struggling if they have to fight to keep players of the standard of Finnigan, who has never done anything that I have seen. If this keeps up, then the home-grown directive will be worthless.

Posted 08:34 20th June 2008
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