by Rugby Football League has been invited to produce an action plan detailing how it will comply with the Sport England sports governance code, with critical funding for sport which should be published next month remaining in the balance.
Sport England has threatened to retain the next episode of a financing package of 16 million pounds Sterling due to concerns about RFL governance.
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In relation: The Rugby League said that the government’s financing of 16 million pounds sterling would be arrested unless the questions answer
Over a few turbulent months for the RFL, the president, Simon Johnson, and several other administrators resigned from the board of directors and which was followed by the controversial return of former director general Nigel Wood, initially as acting president and now senior executive director.
Sport England is concerned about whether the process that led to the return of Wood was in accordance with the governance code and, at a meeting on Tuesday with the RFL, demanded insurance that the league will do in the future.
The RFL was also invited to produce a detailed calendar for Wood departures and the rest of a new temporary board, which was set up last month. An open recruitment process for new members of the board of directors is scheduled for next March.
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In a statement, Sport England confirmed that he had interviews with Wood and the director general of the RFL, Tony Sutton, and had indicated what measures should then be taken to remain in conformity.
He said: “Sport England organized a constructive meeting with the RFL yesterday, during which the organization’s management confirmed its commitment to good governance and respect for the code of sports governance.
“As Sport England requires, the RFL is currently producing a governance action plan that defines the steps that the organization will take to become in accordance with the code, including a calendar for appointments to replace the interim board of directors.
“The RFL understands the importance of joining the code in exchange for public funding, and we are impatient to review its action plan in good time.”
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However, the Guardian understands that Sport England remains possible could still choose against the publication of the next six -digit payment next month if the action of the RFL was deemed unsatisfactory.
Wood returned to the Board of Directors in March, initially as an acting president in a move that the RFL underlined was temporary before the clubs missed its post as main executive director last month. He was also appointed President of Rugby League Commercial, the sport branch which takes care of the broadcasting and sponsorship offers.
