Legal action hits Bradford Bulls
Beleaguered rugby league side Bradford Bulls, along with their administrators, have been hit with legal action from former staff and players.
47 separate cases are being brought against the side, which was put into liquidation in January before being bought by former New Zealand Rugby League chairman Andrew Chalmers and Graham Lowe, former Wigan and New Zealand coach.
The cases will be brought against Bradford Bulls Northern, the holding company of the Bulls before it was replaced with Bradford Bulls 2017, according to the Guardian.
Claimants will take their cases to employment tribunals over the coming weeks in an effort to recoup losses from downsized contracts players were forced to take following the club’s demise, non-payment of wages in December 2016 after the club went into administration in November, and unfair dismissal claims, amongst other things.
They will be represented by the Leeds-based lawyer Richard Cramer of FrontRow Legal, who is currently working with the Super League leaders, Castleford as they seek compensation for the departure of Denny Solomona to Sale rugby union club midway through his contract.
Bradford Bulls 2017 said that there was “no substance” to the claims, which are also being brought against the Rugby Football League, which oversaw the sale of the club.
A statement by Bradford Bulls 2017 said: “We are aware of a claim against our club, the RFL, and the Administrator regarding employees of the liquidated company Bradford Bulls Northern Limited.
“Bradford Bulls 2017 Limited was granted a new license to participate in the RFL’s competitions after being selected from potential bidders in mid-January 2017.
“Bradford Bulls 2017 Limited is a separate and completely unrelated company to the liquidated company, Bradford Bulls Northern Limited.
“The legal advice given concerning this matter is that there is no substance to this claim.
“As this is a legal matter, we are refraining from commenting further at this time.”
The four-time Super League champions have been in administration three times in five years.
