NRL suspends the season amid coronavirus pandemic
The NRL has suspended the rest of the season with immediate effect as the coronavirus pandemic continues to shutdown businesses across Australia.
League executives will move to postpone the rest of the season indefinitely in a meeting on Monday night.
It comes just hours after cafes, bars and restaurants were forced to close their doors to stem the spread of the virus and the Queensland government closed the state’s borders.
The decision to force anyone entering from interstate to isolate for 14 days would have caused havoc for scheduling fixtures involving the NRL’s three teams in Queensland.
An empty Cbus Super Stadium during Sunday’s round two match between the Gold Coast Titans and the Parramatta Eels. The NRL has suspended the season indefinitely
NRL clubs are believed to be making significant cuts to their staff as a result of the suspension.
ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys had earlier warned this month the suspension of the NRL season could have a ‘catastrophic impact’ on the sport.
He said in a March 15 press conference he would seek financial assistance from the federal government to ensure the code survives.
Pictured: NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg (L) and ARLC Chairman Peter Vlandys during a press conference about the future of NRL on March 15
The survival package is expected to be more than $200million.
‘Our money will only last so long and once it’s extinguished we are in big trouble. An Australia without rugby league is not Australia,’ he said.
‘We are in battle-gear ready to go. This is an extraordinary scenario for rugby league and I will do whatever I need to do.’