Sheffield Eagles mull over RFL invitation after Championship season is cancelled

The league was declared null and void following an RFL board meeting on Monday after the majority of clubs made it clear they did not want to play matches behind-closed-doors.

Championship and League 1 clubs have been invited to play in a competition with a £250,000 prize pot later this year.

Eagles said in a statement: “Following the announcement that the 2020 Betfred Championship will not resume, the club will be making a statement in the coming days in relation to this and also the potential competition proposed by the RFL to take place this autumn.

“There will be a number of factors for the club to consider in regards to the autumn competition muted and these will be discussed this week as we await further details on it from the governing body.

“Sheffield Eagles would like to thank all our supporters, sponsors, partners for their continued support and will update them in the coming days.

“The club would also like to put on record its thanks to our playing and backroom staff whose response since we ceased training on 17th March has been exemplary and their patience and resolve has been a testament to the club.

“We will provide a further update in due course.”

Earlier this week, the RFL said in a statement: “The Betfred Championship and League 1 seasons will not resume in 2020 – this follows the Government announcement last week identifying October as the earliest opportunity for the return of crowds to sport, and the finding of a survey of Betfred Championship and League 1 clubs that a majority in each competition would not support playing matches Behind Closed Doors.

"Again, the issue of protecting the solvency of clubs informed this decision.

"The Betfred Championship and League 1 clubs will be invited to play in a competition this autumn, with a theme of celebrating the sport’s 125th anniversary – and with a prize pot of £250,000, thanks in part to financial support from the Betfred Super League clubs.

"Further details of this competition will follow this week – it will be voluntary, and there will be a detailed application process requiring clubs to prove their ability to meet the necessary protocols and medical standards. There will be no automatic promotion to the Betfred Super League from this competition."