Allegations damage Tigers' franchise hopes

CASTLEFORD Tigers chief executive Richard Wright admits that the allegations made and the fine imposed against the club, in regards to the homophobic abuse suffered by Crusaders winger Gareth Thomas, has damaged the club’s franchise application.
The Tigers have already found themselves on the Super League endangered’ list as the 2012 license announcement draws nearer, with progress on a the much-mooted move to a new stadium adjacent to the area’s ‘Xscape’ complex slow.
And these latest allegations of misconduct threaten to extinguish any hopes the club still harbour of preserving their status in the elite division.
“All this business has been damaging for us because we are getting associated as a club with homophobia, and the size of the fine has attracted national headlines,” said Wright.
“But the issue here has got nothing to do with homophobia. We have signed up to the Stonewall Charter and we don't condone any sort of abuse or chanting – we want a happy family atmosphere.”
The Tigers last week banned three supporters for the rest of the season, after they were identified by the club on DVD evidence.
"The people banned will have a right to appeal at the end of the season but in these cases there is a likelihood of the ban being extended.
"Chanting is part of the game and long may it be so but it should be positive and encouraging. Hopefully, home and away the fans will respond in the right manner.
"We also hope that respectable fans, who form the vast majority of the support base at The Jungle, will help us by reporting any obscene behaviour through the well-established mechanisms that we have put in place.”
The Tigers have already stated their intention to appeal against the £40,000 fine handed to them by the RFL, and will be hopeful that the banning orders imposed will strengthen their case.
“This issue is whether we took our best endeavours on the day to stop the chanting. We believe we did.
“There were many people who were at the ground on the day – including journalists and, most importantly, the Rugby Football League's own match commissioner – who were not aware that anything had gone on. So how on earth could we have stopped it, and how on earth can you come up with a fine of £40,000?”
The appeal is expected to be heard at the end of July.