League World Cup Called Off

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31987, 14 May 1969, Page 18

League World Cup Called Off

(N.Z. Press Association— Copyright)

LONDON.

The World Cup Rugby League tournament scheduled for': October this year is off, the English Rugby League secretary - 5 (Mr W. Fallowfield) announced in Leeds yesterday.

He blamed the postponement of the tournament on “the impasse” created by the failure of Australia, New Zealand and France to agree on a match programme. “Because of this failure of the three countries to agree we have missed far too many opportunities, particularly with advance, publicity and ticket sales. “The tournament is off because the English Rugby League feels it is simply too late to start organising things," Mr Fallowfield said. The decision to abandon the World Cup was taken at a meeting of the English Rugby League Council in Manchester on Monday. No representatives from Australia or the other World Cup countries were present. Mr Fallowfield, obviously upset at the break-down of the tournament, said: “The whole matter of fixtures should have been worked out last July when the English Rugby League submitted its plan for the World Cup. “But it was not until April and May this year that the

three other countries began submitting their counter proposals. “Not Good Enough” “It was simply not good enough. Our season is finished over here. We should have been able to move now •into full World Cup promotion.” Mr Fallowfield said he had not yet informed Australia and the other World Cup countries of the decision. “I have just arrived in the office,” he said. “I will write

to them in the normal course ' • of events." ’<> Mr Fallowfield said in the *'«• letter advising of the aban- ’ donment of the World Cup , the three other countries would be asked to submit pos- ' sible dates for a World Cup < tournament “in the future.” * “There is no possibility of' the World Cup being held this year,” he said. “But if ■> the three other countries ■ favourthe World Cup as such ' they should submit their dates now.”