You are completely missing the point.

The BBC do not have to compromise with anybody. They have paid their money and have the right to choose which games they show, and when. It is then the responsibiltiy of each 'home' side to stage that fixture. In this instance, Wigan seemingly can't stage the fixture at the DW.

The only way that the RFL should intervene is to decide the alternative venue. They should not, and in my opinion will not, attempt to co-erce to BBC into changing their scheduling.

What is the point of the BBC paying money to have the choice, if that choice is then taken away because Dave Whelan doesn't want his pitch messing up?? This isn't a Saints fan having a dig at Wigan, I'm just giving you the facts.

Unfortunately this is one of the risks, or potential problems, when renting/leasing/sharing with a Premier League football club. Fortunately, this scenario has only occurred once or twice in the 10+ years you've been away from Central Park.

I agree totally mr giraffe.

Why when the final is months away have the RFL scheduled a round of matches to coincide with FA Cup Final weekend and the climax to the domestic football league season? Irrespective of the Wigan issue this is madness - couldn't these fixtures have been played in June?

They have?



Had wigan taken a home draw in the last round against top opposition, and BBC decided it should be the Saturday game, what would have been the argument then? "Why have the RFL arranged a cup game on the third to last weekend of the Premier League when Wigan Athletic are at home?"

This "last game of the football season" stuff is irrelevant to everyone except Dave Whelan. It could be ANY premiership weekend and the result would be the same - Wigan playing elsewhere.

It is the Jubilee Bank Holiday Weekend on the first weekend of June, then the soccer European Championships start on the 8th June, which will keep BBC Sport busy for a month. Then we have the semi finals of the Cup, then the Olympics start.

There is never going to be a weekend that is completely free of other distractions, so the weekend of a round of Premier League fixtures seems to be the "least congested" for the general population.

Not really, moving the latics match would be an option then, but because it's the last game of the season all games are played at the same time.

I can hear DW now "We can't move the game forward as it would cut out a vital day's recovery before the crucial game at Blackburn".

Fact is, Latics games will be played at Latics' convenience, Wigan will fit around them and if that isn't possible, they'll be made to play elsewhere.

I can't wait for Latics to go down and see if the balance of power shifts and 2 games can be played Fri/Sat, Sat/Sun or Sun/Mon.

yeh..but like i said...if we refuse to play it on saturday afternoon, using ground unavailability as an excuse, they wont have a game to televise...you'll be watching a repeat of Ben Hur instead

Not a chance a Latics game would be moved, and certainly not at such short notice, regardless of this last day of the season element. DW might spin it to make it sound as though that's a factor, but it definitely isn't.



I'm pretty sure if we refuse to play, you'll also be watching Saints in the semi finals!

I can't decide if you are just winding me up or not.

Wigan wont simply refuse to play the game just to prove a point to the BBC/Dave Whelan. To suggest they would is one the most absurd things I have ever heard.

If Wigan can't arrange an alternative venue to the DW, then the RFL will step in and sort it for them. Like it or not, Wigan WILL play where and when they are told, because there is simply no alternative.

Announcement imminent that your game will be on Saturday afternoon at the DW, so some agreement must have been made with all parties...

and then the RFL would be in all sorts of bother due to breach of contract with the BBC, and other sponsors - potentially jeopardising future agreements; and Wigan would be in breach of all sorts of Operational Rules, as well as being a massive source of embarrassment turning up at the DW Stadium on Friday night to play a game in front of no fans with no opponent to play.

Is it really worth it?

I agree, lets refuse to play, break the contractual agreement with the BBC and withdraw from the Challenge Cup on principle giving Saints a bye into the semi final. That will show em!!!

I'm glad it's not just me who thinks he is talking nonsense!!

They're only allowing players under 14 stone to play and they have to play in plimsoles.

Let's just play at Langtree Park, first team to knock Saints out of the cup on their new ground, sounds good to me

not a wind up mate...i reckon we should make a stand.

alternatively, if we are forced to play at another ground, lets not allow cameras into the changers, and conduct no interviews with the BBC like Fergy and Harry did a few years back.

if they insist on an interview for contractual reason, send the kit man

Is this true or a wind up? Would be tremendous news.

I know, how dare the BBC expect the match they paid for to be played, the inconsiderate toads.

There's an article on code13 site, which says the game will be 2.30 Saturday, and doesn't mention that it won't be anywhere else but the DW - that article as far as I know is a direct copy and paste job from an RFL press release.

However - that also seems to suggest that suddenly our game is at Leigh on the Friday, but now not televised



So it's all very strange...

EDIT: However, the article now seems to have been amended,with a line inserted about the venue for Wigan v Saints to be confirmed!!

What a mess.

news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_l ... 484637.stm www.therfl.co.uk/fixtures

news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_l ... 484637.stm www.therfl.co.uk/fixtures

Take a stand against who though? Just who do Wigan have an argument with?

It can't be the BBC, they are just exercising the right they have paid for. So why boycott interviews,etc?

I think you are venting your anger in the wrong direction. Dave Whelan is the only person obstructing Wigan from doing what they want to do, and refusing to play or being awkward with the BBC wont affect him one little bit, he probably couldn't care less.

If we can't play at the DW on the Saturday due to Tory Yorkshire DAVE and "it'll be alreet coz we pay feck all for the stadium" Leneghan I firmly believe we should have to forfeit home advantage to Stains.

playing at widnes is the latest news coming in from the RFL