The National Rugby League has today met with Football Federation of Australia officials regarding their bid for a FIFA World Cup in Australia.
The NRL has reiterated its position that it does not wish to be an obstacle to Australia’s chances of securing international sporting events and is prepared, as it has been in the past, to cooperate with rival sports where possible.
“We are happy to try and work together but the price of that cooperation cannot be such that it puts the future of our clubs at risk,” NRL Chief Executive Mr David Gallop said today.
“We have to be able to continue to operate effectively for our own clubs’ sake and for the sake of the millions of fans in this country who follow them.
“There is only so much disruption our clubs can endure and still remain viable in the years that follow.
“I think the Chief Executive of the FFA, Ben Buckley, accepts that and we have agreed to continue to keep working on the issues.
“Ben has given us his personal assurance that we will be given complete transparency over any issue in the bid document which may affect us.
“It is going to be a more lengthy process than most realise with a number of the international requirements not due to be finalised until May.
“I do think people need to step back from the view that any attempt we make to ensure that we protect our game is somehow portrayed as an attack on the World Cup bid.”
You have skipped the navigation, tab for page content
National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.
