Portsmouth RFC president hits out at RFU’s ‘pretty unfair’ decision to cancel 2019/20 season in wake of coronavirus crisis

Portsmouth RFC in action against Reeds Weybridge last November. Portsmouth still had three London South West 3 games left to play before the RFU brought the campaign to an early halt. Picture: Keith Woodland

The Portsmouth Rugby Club president insisted the authority should have taken more time to assess the current situation prior to ending the campaign.

It was announced last week that all leagues in the country - apart from the Gallagher Premiership - would see no further action this season on the back of the Covid-19 epidemic.

Yet, the association are weighing up options as to the final outcome for clubs across the nation prior to reaching a conclusion in mid-April.

And Golding is of the opinion the RFU have acted too hastily.

The vast majority of junior clubs have just a handful of league games left, and he is aggrieved they will not be completed.

‘My own feeling it’s very precipitant of the rugby union to cancel the season at this stage,' stated Golding.

‘The chances are we’ll have to cancel it, but there’s no reason why we can’t play matches at the end of May.

‘We’ve got three (London 3 South West) matches left this season and they could easily be played on a Wednesday evening and on a Saturday later in the year.

‘I think it’s too quick.

‘It means it’s pretty unfair because you don’t know what is going to happen.

‘At the moment, Petersfield look set to get promoted (from Hampshire Premier) and it would be a shame if they didn’t get promoted with all the work they’ve put in.

‘At the same time, Gosport look as though they could get demoted (from London South West 3) but they won’t get a chance to try to lift themselves out of it.

‘We don’t know what is going to happen.

‘They have said the season is finished but it was too early for them to say that.

‘There’s no urgency to cancel the season.

‘It isn’t as if we’ve got loads of air flights to book and major travelling.

‘All the junior clubs should have been allowed to finish their seasons.'

Golding is also frustrated at the lack of communication from the RFU at present.

It's such a precarious time for amateur clubs, along with businesses across the UK, but he revealed his club has had little guidance from the authority.

‘We’re just in the dark really,' he added.

‘We’ve had nothing from the Hampshire RFU and the RFU telling us this is what we can do.

‘It’s not just sport, it’s everywhere.

‘It just a pity that action was taken so quickly.'