10 Questions Arising from Toronto's Withdrawal from Super League

Earlier today, Toronto Wolfpack confirmed that it would withdraw the 2020 Super League competition. The news has shocked the sport and the impact of this will be wide-ranging.

If you can think of an unexpected situation, rugby league will have probably faced it before. But this is new even to us. We explore 10 questions (and we could have done more) arising from today's news.

1. What happens to their results for 2020?

So far, some teams have faced Toronto, but others have not. If their results were to stand, it would skew the competition.

When Bury were expelled from the Football League last August, their results were expunged and teams had a bye when they were due to face them. It is unlikely that their existing results will remain on the record.

That means Castleford, Salford, Wigan, Warrington, St Helens and Leeds may lose two competition points?

2. Will the players get paid?

Yes. The Wolfpack have confirmed that players will be paid and owner David Argyle has given a personal guarantee to the RFL to that effect.

3. What about the fans?

Toronto have also confirmed that fans will receive refunds on their season membership, if requested.

4. Where has this news come from?

There were not many rumours that this would happen. Although media reports have recently suggested players were not paid on time and player's visas did not allow them to stay in the UK for the whole season.

It is unexpected though. As recently as Saturday, Hakim Miloudi tweeted that he could not wait to restart training and was on a plane to the UK. This was retweeted by Toronto Wolfpack.

5. Will Toronto play in Super League next year?

Toronto's statement earlier today confirm that this is their intention. The RFL and Super League have released a joint statement expressing their disappointment. Last Thursday, the authorities claim to have received an assurance that Toronto would fulfil their fixtures.

They add "A discussion around the longer term consequences and the future of the Wolfpack in Super League will commence shortly."

What this means is a matter of conjecture. Will they be accepted back into Super League? If so, will their be a points deduction? Will they be relegated to either the Championship or League 1? Only time will tell?

6. Will the fixture list change?

My hunch is no. At present, Hull KR were due to play Toronto twice in August. It makes little sense that they will have two 'free' weeks, but then be asked to play three times in one week later on.

Given how close we are to the resumption, tweaking or rewriting the fixture list is impractical.

7. What about promotion and relegation?

Logic dictates that relegation from Super League will not occur in 2020. If Toronto do not retain their Super League status, then it is likely that a Championship side will replace them. However, it remains up in the air whether the Championship season will resume. A further complication!

8. Are Toronto still in the Challenge Cup?

Technically, yes. Although they will surely withdraw. They were due to face Newcastle Thunder in the next round. The two options seem to be that Newcastle will receive a bye to the next round or Huddersfield will be reinstated in Toronto's place.

Although if Newcastle also do not take up their place in the Challenge Cup (should League 1 not restart), then the situation becomes ever more messy...

9. Does this effect the Sky TV deal?

In their joint statement, the RFL and Super League said: "Our immediate focus is on getting the season back underway on August 2 and meeting the needs of our host broadcaster, Sky Sports."

By implication, the answer to this question is yes. The withdrawal of Toronto Wolfpack may adversely impact the entire competition.

Then one must consider that the Sky TV deal is shortly up for renewal. With one international side potentially absent, the sport's bargaining position weakens significantly.

10. What about recruitment for 2021?

Rumours suggested that Ben Flower, Stevie Ward, Richie Myler and Ryan Hall were all to join the Wolfpack next year. None of these signings were confirmed so it is unknown whether they had formal contracts.

If Toronto do return to Super League next year, they are on the back foot in terms of recruitment. Through no fault of their own, they have no academy structure and their squad was threadbare in any event. That being said, journalist are reporting that recruitment for 2021 remains ongoing!

Reports have already emerged of player agent's offering their clients to other clubs, so an exodus may occur. This may depend on the contractual terms. Can players sign for other clubs whilst being paid by Toronto for the rest of 2020? 

If Toronto do participate in Super League next year, the likelihood of avoiding relegation seems remote at this stage. Player welfare concerns may also come into play.