Leigh Centurions owner Derek Beaumont insists the Covid-19 vaccine will not be forced on any players at his club, claiming there “is no social responsibility to have it whatsoever.”
The Rugby Football League this week issued a strong statement aimed at unvaccinated players, saying they are having a “material impact” on the sport's plans for the new season.
The governing body has deferred its decision on reintroducing scrums in order to give players more time to get their Covid-19 vaccinations.
The RFL's Laws Committee endorsed the return of scrums on the basis that 85 per cent of players in both Super League and Championship had been double vaccinated by December 31st.
However, vaccination rates are slightly below that in both divisions. 80.66 per cent of Super League players are double vaccinated, with a slightly higher uptake of 81.71 in the second tier.
As a result, a decision has been made to put off the decision until the end of January, just before the start of both competitions.
Despite the reticence of some players to get jabbed, Beaumont took to Twitter this morning to defend his policy at Leigh.
He said: “Vaccinated players will be treated no differently to unvaccinated players at my club pure and simple!
“If they live with a family member who is positive they will isolate with them to protect the spread in our camp.”
Beaumont added that he had no qualms with the RFL’s stance and admired the work the governing body carries out.
In another tweet, he said: “I understand they are following rules which we will also do and add our own safety measures which means vaccinated close contacts will also have to isolate from the rest of the squad to protect it. I am a fan of the @TheRFL they work tirelessly for the game.”
Beaumont also claimed that the vaccines were designed more for the vulnerable in society, not professional athletes such as rugby league players, adding: “There is no social responsibility to have it whatsoever. Testing is the only answer to this to reduce spread.”
Beaumont said: Fit and healthy people don’t need to go to hospital with Covid the treatment is isolate at home!
“Makes sense for vulnerable people to take measures they see fit be it vaccination or isolation many activities burden the nhs like smoking etc unvaccinated people don’t!”
