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Rugby League chairman calls for more Government support during pandemic

The 125th Challenge Cup final will be played behind closed doors at Wembley on Saturday

WARRINGTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 30: A general view of play during the Betfred Super League match between Warrington Wolves and Wakefield Trinity at The Halliwell Jones Stadium on August 30, 2020 in Warrington, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

Rugby League chairman Simon Johnson has reiterated his plea for more Government support during the coronavirus pandemic.

Johnson has thanked the Government for the £16m loan but also warns the game remains in a perilous state and called for more support.

"Our game is still in a vulnerable state," Johnson wrote in his programme notes ahead of Saturday's Challenge Cup final. "We have worked hard to make our stadiums safe for spectators and yet we have not been able to let spectators into them.

Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com - 06/02/2020 - Rugby League - RFL Board Head Shots - Quay West, Salford, England - Simon Johnson.
Image: Rugby League chairman Simon Johnson is calling for more Government backing

"We have implemented class-leading bio-security protocols and yet may have to remain closed for six more months.

"We have followed and continue to follow every piece of Government guidance. But we say to Government that if, by following Government guidance, we end up risking the survival of our clubs and the future sustainability of our game, we
must look to Government to help to sustain us.

"We are ready to be part of the economic recovery and the return of our national life to normality but we can only do that if we have been able to survive the restrictions.

"I hope that Government will continue to look favourably on our request for measures to help rugby league to help the nation's fight against coronavirus."

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Picture by Richard Blaxall/SWpix.com - 24/08/2019 - Rugby League - Coral Challenge Cup Final - St Helens v Warrington Wolves - Wembley Stadium, London, England - Joe Philbin of Warrington Wolves lifts the trophy
Image: Warrington Wolves are the Challenge Cup holders

Johnson has also defended the decision to keep Saturday's final between Leeds and Salford at Wembley even though it will be played behind closed doors, insisting there will be no asterisk placed against the winners of the 125th anniversary final.

"This Challenge Cup final will be remembered for being played with the lowest attendance in history. There will be fewer than 200 people in the whole stadium, something which we all bitterly regret.

"Wembley's wide open spaces will echo to the shouts of the players and the coaches. This great stadium will provide a lonely backdrop to the compelling action on the field.

7th May 1938: Team Captain Gus Risman is chaired by team-mates with the trophy after Salford beat Barrow to win the Rugby League Challenge Cup at Wembley Stadium. (Photo by Dennis Oulds/Central Press/Getty Images)
Image: Wembley has a long history with the Challenge Cup final - Saturday's finalists Salford won the trophy there in 1938

"To those who criticise our decision to play this final at Wembley, I retort that it is entirely fitting that we should be here - the relationship between Wembley and the Challenge Cup final is so strong.

"For, in this strange and most challenging of seasons, it is significant and praiseworthy that we have arrived at the first showpiece occasion; at the award of the first trophy of the season and that we are trying to be as normal as we
can.

"Whichever of Leeds Rhinos and Salford Red Devils are the winners, their name will be forever written in the history books as Coral Challenge Cup winners.

"There will be no asterisk next to this triumph for whoever wins. Whichever of Luke Gale or Lee Mossop is the winning captain, they will lift, down on the pitch, the real Coral Challenge Cup trophy."

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