ESPN staff
February 25, 2014
For the second time in two years, Bradford Bulls have been deducted six points by the Rugby Football League.
The Bulls went into administration last month and the decision leaves the Yorkshire club rock bottom of the Super League table.
They lost their first game of the season against Castleford before beating Wakefield, but will head into round three on minus four points.
A statement read: “The RFL Board of Directors has today ruled that Bradford Bulls will be deducted six points – the equivalent of three competition wins – as a penalty for entering into administration in January 2014.
“The board’s decision follows a full assessment of the circumstances surrounding the club’s administration, which followed a similar insolvency event by Bradford Bulls in June 2012.
“The points will be deducted with immediate effect. The points sanction was applied under RFL Operational Rule 4.”
In a further blow, the Bradford Bulls 2014 Ltd consortium that had their bid to purchase the Odsal club accepted last Friday, have withdrawn their offer.
Consortium chairman Mark Moore said: “It is with great sadness and frustration that we have been led to this point.
“I believe that we have been forced into making this decision, due to the Rugby Football League’s proposed sanction of a six-point deduction making relegation almost a certainty.
“In addition, the governing body wished to place the club’s licence into special measures, which, as successful businessmen, will likely taint our personal dealings while embarrassing us all professionally.”
The Bulls were also docked six points for entering administration in July 2012, a decision that cost them a place in the end of season play-offs.
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