Decision pending on Tonga National Rugby League appeal [1]
Tuesday, January 5, 2021 - 17:50
The Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) has confirmed it is now deliberating and preparing its decision after hearing an appeal on Tonga National Rugby League’s (TNRL) expulsion from the International Rugby League (IRL) last month.
CAS Communications Officer, Katy Hogg, told Matangi Tonga today that it is not known at this time when the decision will be announced to the parties.
The hearing between TNRL and the IRL was held on 8-9 December 2020.
TNRL submitted an appeal after it was expelled from the IRL membership in February 2020, following a dispute with Mate Ma'a Tonga players, when Coach Kristian Woolf was let go.
Since the TNRL expulsion, two separate organizations applied for full membership with IRL to become Tonga’s recognized national rugby league governing body.
However, no decision has been made on the new IRL member until the outcome of the CAS hearing is announced.
The decision will have an impact on this year’s Rugby League World Cup scheduled to be held in England in October, where Tonga heads one of four pools.
Tonga made history after reaching the semi-finals in the last Rugby League World Cup for the first time in history.
In November 2019, Tonga made history again when they defeated rugby league champion, Australia, for the first time, 16-12.