‘Despicable treatment’ – Leigh make complaint to RFL over Wigan tie

The Rugby Football League (RFL) has confirmed that Leigh Leopards owner Derek Beaumont has lodged an official complaint about the preparation and management of Friday’s Super League play-off semi-final at Wigan.

Following the terror attack in Manchester the day before, a dispute over ticket allocation, and bad weather at the Brick Community Stadium, the game was under increased security.

Beaumont reacted to pre-game criticism about ticket allocation in an open letter to fans released on Monday, calling the treatment of Leopards’ fans “despicable.”

“Unfortunately, I have received numerous letters and messages, some from significant kit sponsors,” Beaumont said of the despicable treatment given to thousands of our fans in our semi-final.

He said in reference to Saturday’s Manchester United-Sunderland game that “people were queuing in poor weather conditions while they were physically searched, something that wasn’t consistent in other areas at the ground and wasn’t in operation at Old Trafford the following day.”

“I want to assure everyone that all the letters, messages, and videos that the club receive will be included in our official complaint and will also be included in the RFL’s comprehensive review,” the club’s statement reads.

Leigh’s suggestion that Wigan might boycott the match in protest of the limited 4,800 ticket allocation complicated the build-up to the semi-final, which Wigan won 18-6.

Senior executive director Nigel Wood insists lessons will be learned from the match, which an independent panel from the RFL announced on Saturday.