Whatever solution the sport comes up with in the wake of Covid-19 is going to upset somebody - says Peter Smith in his Inside Rugby League column

Significantly, “postponed” was the word used, rather than “cancelled”. That point was underlined by Super League’s executive chairman Robert Elstone who confirmed Magic is “still firmly in our plans for 2020”.

The season is already a month behind schedule so factoring an additional round into what is going to be a big backlog of fixtures doesn’t seem to make a great deal of sense.

As well as discussions with clubs, broadcasters and sponsors, the Rugby Football League (RFL) have asked players, coaches, match officials, medical experts, agents and the media for their views on the possible way forward.

Axing Magic Weekend and the six additional loop fixtures, so all teams play each other just once home and away, are among possible options. Others include getting rid of the 1895 Cup, extending the season, rejigging the play-offs - to knock-out semi-finals and the Grand Final - and playing games behind closed doors.

Super League say “all options” are being considered, while the RFL - who this week called off the Betfred Championship’s Summer Bash - have spoken of a “wide variety” of possible scenarios.

Elstone’s comment, though - along with similar remarks made by Leeds Rhinos chief executive Gary Hetherington this week - suggests any reduction in the length of the season is likely to be a last resort.

That’s understandable, given the financial abyss the game is teetering on the brink of. Clubs are running out of money and playing three fewer home matches, which would be the case if the loop fixtures were scrapped, won’t help their finances.

There is also the broadcast contract to consider, which is coming up for renewal. If Super League can give Sky everything they have paid for this year - including a Magic Weekend - that will be a show of good faith and boost their prospects of a good deal next time.

It may be the competition is able to fulfil its arrangement with Sky, but not clubs’ season ticket holders.

There seems to be an acceptance that, once lockdown restrictions are eased or lifted, games may resume, but behind closed doors.

Nobody really wants that. The atmosphere a crowd generates makes any sport a better spectacle for armchair viewers, lifts players and - of course - gate, hospitality and other matchday receipts provide vital income for the home club.

If the turnstiles stay shut, pass holders will not get what they paid for at the start of the year and clubs would still face the expense of staging a game, without income coming in.

Double- or even triple-headers might be one way of sharing the cost. Without a crowd, home advantage will be less significant.

One possible suggestion - initially raised by players’ agent Craig Harrison and since backed by influential figures including Kevin Sinfield, Jamie Peacock, Tony Smith and Gareth Ellis - is for matches not shown on Sky’s regular channels to be broadcast pay-per-view. So Sky would televise their usual two or three games per week, with the rest being available for a fee. That would provide the broadcaster with live action, make all matches accessible - even if fans aren’t allowed to be in the ground - and provide some income for the clubs.

Season-ticket holders probably won’t get to attend the full 14 matches they have already paid for, but it should be possible for them to purchase pay-per-view games free or at a reduced rate.

It’s not ideal, but whatever solution the sport comes up with is going to upset somebody.

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

The most important thing, at this stage, is that the sport and its individual clubs survive and everyone involved stays safe and healthy.

Peter Smith and Richard Byram discuss Super League’s next move - and Kallum Watkins’ return to England - in the latest edition of The YEP’s rugby league podcast. Log on to www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport to listen in.

****

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. These are challenging times but the team at the Yorkshire Evening Post need your support more than ever in the weeks ahead.

While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you. In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you - wherever possible and providing it is safe for you to do so - to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Inevitably falling advertising revenues will start to have an impact on local newspapers and the way we continue to work during this period of uncertainty. So the support of our readers has never been more important as we try to make sure that we keep you connected with the city you live in during this time. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. We need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Our team of trusted reporters are working incredibly hard behind the scenes- from kitchen tables and spare bedrooms - to look at how we can do this and your continued support to the YEP will help to protect its viability in the days and weeks ahead.

For more details on our subscription offers please visit www.localsubsplus.co.uk/YEP, email [email protected] or call us on 0330 4033004

Thank you, Laura Collins, Editor