Leigh and Wigan face independent investigation into year-long conduct dispute

Leigh Leopards and Wigan Warriors will face an independent investigation covering their conduct over the past 12 months, the Rugby Football League announced on September 22. The review will also examine the governing body's actions, extending its scope beyond the two clubs involved in the long-running ticketing dispute.

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According to BBC Sport, the independent boards of the RFL and RL Commercial have written to both clubs to notify them of the investigation. The organisations said they would withhold further comment until the process had concluded. Their announcement did not set out findings against either club or identify a penalty.

The dispute dates back to the clubs' Super League play-off meeting last October. Leigh owner Derek Beaumont raised the possibility of a boycott over an away allocation of 4,800 tickets. BBC Sport reported that the fixture nevertheless went ahead, with Wigan winning 18-6. Leigh then lodged a complaint with the RFL the following week.

Ticket arrangements returned to prominence ahead of this season's play-off semi-finals. Wigan announced that the visiting side would receive 5,000 tickets, before their opponents had been settled. Wakefield Trinity subsequently defeated Leigh in the eliminator and will travel to Wigan on Saturday. Had Leigh won that match, they would instead have returned to face their neighbours.

Love Rugby League reported that the latest Wigan announcement prompted renewed criticism from Beaumont on X. He accused the Warriors of using bullying tactics and trying to intimidate the RFL and RL Commercial. Those were Beaumont's allegations, not findings by the governing body. The outlet said it had approached the RFL on Monday about his activity and the wider dispute.

The precise boundaries of the inquiry remain unclear. Love Rugby League reported that the investigation concerns both clubs, rather than being directed at one individual, and said it was not established whether Beaumont's own social media posts would be included. BBC Sport said it had sought comment from both clubs. For now, the announced step is an investigation, with its conclusions still pending.