Court of Arbitration for Sport rejects Tonga National Rugby League appeal against expulsion from International Rugby League

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has dismissed the Tonga National Rugby League (TNRL) appeal against the International Rugby League (IRL) decision to expel them from membership of the international federation.

The CAS judgement comes after a lengthy examination of the circumstances surrounding IRL’s decision to initially suspend and then, in March 2020, expel TNRL based upon several factors which were having a negative impact on rugby league in Tonga and on the wider international game.  The judgment, which was released today (20 April 2021) reads, in part, as follows.

1.      The appeal filed by Tonga National Rugby League Inc. is dismissed.

2.     The decision of the International Rugby League Ltd. in accordance with IRL Articles 24.4 and 25 during its Members’ General Meeting on 18 March 2020 to expel Tonga National Rugby League Inc. as one of its Members is upheld. 

3.     As a result of its foregoing valid expulsion, Tonga National Rugby League Inc. is not a Member of the International Rugby League Ltd.

The CAS judgement recognised that IRL officials have consistently reached out to TNRL, which continually refused to cooperate, and to the wider rugby league community of the Kingdom of Tonga to try to ensure that the sport has the very best opportunity to grow, develop, build upon the success enjoyed by the Tonga national team and look forward to a very successful Rugby League World Cup at the end of this year. Following today’s judgement, IRL will maintain that stance and looks forward to working earnestly with all stakeholders to ensure that the Tongan rugby league community can rebuild on firm foundations that are rooted in good governance and is able to fulfil the high expectations of the Tongan people.

It is anticipated that a new national governing body will present itself for membership in the near future.