Leeds rugby league club among 2 from West Yorkshire suspended after 'ref abuse' and abandoned fixture

The RFL has paused rugby league activity involving open-age, youth and junior teams from East Leeds and Huddersfield-based Moldgreen until the weekend of June 6/7. There were angry scenes at Easts who had three players sent off against visitors Dewsbury Moor in National League Division One, while a National League Yorkshire A fixture between Moldgreen and Dewsbury-based visitors Thornhill Trojans was abandoned in the second half following crowd trouble.

An RFL statement said: “Following incidents involving East Leeds RLFC and Moldgreen RLFC on Saturday 16 May, the RFL has taken the decision to suspend rugby league activity involving open-age, youth and junior teams at both clubs until the weekend of 6/7 June. This suspension does not apply to Primary Rugby League age groups.”

It added: “The incidents involved unacceptable behaviour, including abandoned fixtures and abuse directed towards match officials. Both clubs have engaged in meetings with the RFL constructively and have committed to implementing measures aimed at improving behaviour standards, strengthening matchday management processes and reinforcing respect towards match officials and volunteers across all sections of the club.

“The RFL continues to work closely with clubs across the community game to reinforce standards of behaviour, protect participants and volunteers and ensure rugby league remains a safe, respectful and enjoyable environment for all involved.”

Moldgreen and Thornhill have blamed each other for the trouble which led to their match being called off. Trojans claim the referee called a halt after Moldgreen supporters became involved in an altercation between rival players.

In a statement, Moldgreen alleged a Trojans player left the field of play to “confront and subsequently assault” a home fan.