Wakefield Trinity stand down star forward David Fifita in GPS dispute - but insist they will be ready to go against Warrington Wolves

The club’s decision to drop one of their star players was announced on Friday, two days before Trinity face Warrington Wolves at HJ Stadium.

Wakefield, whose next game after this weekend is against Leeds Rhinos at Emerald Headingley on Thursday, September 3, were already without three players who are self-isolating - two of them following last Saturday’s Coral Challenge Cup defeat by Catalans Dragons.

Three Catalans players and a member of staff tested positive for coronavirus after the game.

In a statement on Trinity’s website, chief executive Michael Carter said: “After further discussions with the RFL and internally, we have also stood down David Fifita for the foreseeable future.

“Part of the track and trace protocols involve the use of GPS (global positioning system) data. David has refused to wear one in the past, and despite being told that he must wear one, didn’t wear it against Catalans in the league game and removed it at half time of the game last Saturday.

“As the person ultimately responsible for the health and wellbeing of every employee of the club, we must err on the side of caution and remove David from the playing bubble.”

Carter revealed Jay Pitts and Alex Walker were the players ordered to self-isolate for 14 days following the Cup tie against Catalans.

And he said Liam Kay is also self-isolating and unavailable for two weeks, due to a “family situation”.

In his statement, he added: “I must stress that all of our players and staff were tested on Monday and all were negative.

“We have re-tested the players on Thursday and await the results.

“Despite everything that’s been thrown at us over the last three weeks including late changes in fixtures and having to stand down important members of our squad, we will be fit and ready to go on Sunday against Warrington.

“We, as a club are doing our utmost to ensure that not only are the players safe, but that the game survives, particularly in regards to the Sky commitment.”

The RFL announced on Friday that of 563 tests carried out this week - not including the second tests at Wakefield - 559 were negative.

The only positive results were the four at Catalans.

The video with this story comes from Trinity's press conference on Thursday, before the news aboiut Fifita was announced.

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