Hull cleared to take on Bradford in Challenge Cup
Hull have escaped immediate punishment for fielding Thackray
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Wednesday, 14, May 2008 09:04
Hull FC have been cleared to play Bradford Bulls in the quarter-finals of the Challenge Cup despite fielding an ineligible player in the fourth and fifth rounds.
Prop Jamie Thackray joined the club from Leeds Rhinos after the official deadline to register players for the competition had passed.
However, the Rugby Football League (RFL) board has ruled that the results against Rochdale and Widnes Vikings should be allowed to stand.
The board said that although Hull were being allowed to continue in the competition further disciplinary action could still be taken.
The RFL admitted that while it viewed the matter "very seriously" the operational rules for the competition did not cover a specific penalty for fielding an ineligible player.
An RFL statement said: "In view of the absence of a mandatory provision, the RFL board has determined that the results of the Carnegie Challenge Cup fourth and fifth-round matches involving Hull FC will stand and the club will continue in the competition.
"It is, however, clear that playing an ineligible player is a serious breach of the operational rules and the board has referred the matter to the RFL compliance manager to deal with under the misconduct rules."
Hull's chief executive James Rule said his club accepted the RFL's decision but would not comment further because of the pending tribunal hearing.
At the time Thackary signed with Hull he should only have been available to play in the Challenge Cup from the quarter-finals onwards.