UAE Rugby Federation to officially endorse new rugby league committee

The UAE Rugby Federation (UAERF) will meet May 20 to officially endorse a new committee to oversee rugby league in the country after Sol Mokdad, who had been piloting its development as the president of the Rugby League Commission, was detained by police last week.

Sol Mokdad has allegedly been arrested and charged for “falsely representing the UAE government and rugby in the UAE”. Pawan Singh / The National

DUBAI // The UAE Rugby Federation (UAERF) will meet May 20 to officially endorse a new committee to oversee rugby league in the country.

The 13-a-side code is suspended after Sol Mokdad, who had been piloting its development as the president of the Rugby League Commission, was detained by police last week.

The UAERF, as the government-appointed rulers of all rugby, had taken action against him for “falsely representing the UAE government and rugby in the UAE”.

While the appointment of the new committee is the only workable solution if league is going to be played here, it contravenes the views of the Rugby League International Federation (RLIF), the sport’s ruling body.

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“Both World Rugby and RLIF recognise that the sports of Rugby Union and Rugby League are led by sovereign International Federations and neither has any jurisdiction over the other sport,” said David Collier, the RLIF chief executive on Sunday.

World Rugby, union’s global rulers, are aware of the situation but unwilling to make an official comment. It is understood they have also been involved in finding a solution.

Whatever the outcome of next week’s board meeting, it seems unlikely the league campaign, which was to have its final at Al Ain on Friday, will be ­completed. James Agus, the coach of Xodus Wasps, who were preparing to play for a place in the final when the league was suspended, said his players were ­disappointed.

“The lads are gutted it ended so quickly. We do believe we could have gone on and won it,” Agus said. “I hope it does get resolved quickly and league will be back next year.”

Andy Cole, the chairman of Abu Dhabi Harlequins, another of the clubs who play both league and union, said the row has left a stain on the reputation of the sport.

“The UAERF were correct in doing what they did, although the extent it reached, I don’t think, was in keeping with the spirit of the sport,” Cole said.

Mike Wolff, the chairman of Dubai’s oldest club, the Exiles, said the UAERF is doing a “superb job” in governing union, and hopes the furore would not overshadow that.

“The early stages of getting a sport off the ground in a new location are always challenging for a variety of reasons,” Wolff said. “I am certain the intentions behind establishing and growing rugby league in the UAE were all good ones, if perhaps a little misguided and naive in terms of understanding how that process should follow local regulatory and cultural norms.

“I am surprised and concerned that matters have reached the point they have, and I hope world opinion does not turn negative towards any form of rugby in this great country as a consequence.

“I am sure dialogue between all stakeholders and agreeing mutually beneficial objectives will see a resolution to this issue, and allow people to get on with playing their chosen form of rugby with good governance in place.”

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