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Catalans Dragons could withdraw from Challenge Cup over 500k dispute with RFL

Catalan Dragons celebrate winning the 2018 Challenge Cup
Image: Catalans Dragons may not defend the Challenge Cup over a bond dispute

Catalans Dragons may not defend the Challenge Cup after being asked to lodge a bond of £500k by the Rugby Football League.

The French club made history last August by becoming the first overseas club to win rugby league's famous knockout trophy, which they paraded in front of 76,000 football fans at Barcelona's Nou Camp a month later.

But their 20-14 victory over Warrington at Wembley was witnessed by just 50,672, the lowest cup final crowd since World War Two, which severely impacted on the finances of the Rugby Football League.

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Catalans Dragons were invited for a lap of honour at the Nou Camp in September

The cup final has traditionally been a valuable money-earner for the cash-strapped governing body but last year's disappointing attendance meant a reduction of around £800k in projected income.

Fearful of a repeat, the RFL asked both the Catalans and Toronto to lodge bonds, thought to be in the region of £500k, in the event of either of them reaching Wembley in 2019 and, after refusing point blank to pay up, the Canadian club will not take part this year.

The Dragons have stopped short of threatening a boycott but have written to the governing body urging it to reconsider its request, with chairman Bernard Guasch claiming it would be irresponsible for his club to pay the bond.

In a statement, Guasch said: "The club has been officially advised in December that a £500k deposit will be asked by the RFL to play in the Challenge Cup in 2019.

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"We, as a club, want to participate in this prestigious competition and defend our title but it would be irresponsible to accept this decision.

Tony Gigot, Remi Casty and head coach Steve McNamara celebrate winning the Challenge Cup
Image: Tony Gigot, Remi Casty and head coach Steve McNamara celebrate

"Thus, we have asked the RFL to reconsider its demand and we are now waiting for a decision.

"The players would be very frustrated not to be able to defend their title and we hope that we'll have an answer as soon as possible."

Because they are not full members of the RFL, both Toronto and Catalans Dragons have no automatic right to enter the Challenge Cup, which means that the holders may not be in the draw for the sixth round in May.

Catalans fans will hope their team can build on the Wembley success
Image: Catalans were the first non-English club to win the Challenge Cup

In a statement, the RFL said: "We have been surprised and disappointed by the uncertainty over the Catalans Dragons participation in the 2019 Challenge Cup, which surfaced just before Christmas.

"We have been in discussions with the club since then, and will continue those discussions to search for a solution."

Coincidentally, the competition is set to break new ground when Serbian club Red Star Belgrade make their debut against Cumbrian amateurs Millom in the first round on January 27.

The RFL, which reported a loss of £2m in its last set of accounts for 2017, are still searching for a Challenge Cup sponsor after Ladbrokes failed to renew its backing.

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