IRL

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) this week dismissed the Tonga National Rugby League's (TNRL) appeal against its expulsion from the International Rugby League in March last year, after a long-running battle over governance, money and a threatened player boycott.

IRL Secretary General Danny Kazandjian was pleased with the decision but saddened it had got to this point.

"It was completely unnecessary that it had to go to court" he said.

The TNRL was expelled from the IRL in March last year, after a long-running battle over governance, money and a threatened player boycott.

The hearing between TNRL and the IRL was held on 8-to-9 December 2020.

CAS Communications Officer, Katy Hogg, told Matangi Tonga that it is unknown when a decision will be announced.

Two separate organizations have applied for full membership with IRL to become Tonga's recognized national rugby league governing body since TNRL's expulsion.

The hearing is set to conclude a long-running battle over governance which has involved players, administrators and the Tongan government.

TNRL Secretary William Edwards will be participating in the hearing via video conference from Auckland, where he's been situated since New Zealand's first lockdown in March, when he was forced to miss the Special General Meeting where full members voted on the expulsion.

Three arbitrators are expected to hear the arguments, with Covid-19 forcing the officials to beam in from far-flung locations.

Member of Parliament Semisi Sika and Speaker of Parliament Lord Fakafanua were appointed executives in a meeting facilitated by the Implementation Committee (IC) established by International Rugby League last week.

A statement said the Government is deeply concerned with the lack of consultation by the IRL leading up to the expulsion of the TNRL and subsequently with the recommendation to establish an Implementation Committee (IC).

International Rugy League (IRL) confirmed this week it had recommended a package of reforms for the sport in Tonga, following the conclusion of a two-month investigation into the operation and governance of TNRL.