League block Cooke's move to Rovers - Sport in brief - Evening Standard
       

League block Cooke's move to Rovers

The saga over Hull FC stand-off Paul Cooke's sensational bid to join city rivals Hull KR has taken another twist after the Rugby Football League blocked the move.

The 26-year-old Cooke ended intense speculation over his future by handing in his resignation at the KC Stadium and announced his intention to sign a three-and-a-half-year contract with Rovers, the team he supported as a boy.

Although Cooke asked Hull to transfer his registration to Rovers, the RFL have refused to accept it after taking their own legal advice and urged him to settle his differences with his club.

RFL communications manager Craig Spence said: "We have received paperwork from Hull KR but the RFL are unable to accept the registration as we believe Paul Cooke is a registered contracted player of Hull FC.

"We would ask that Paul Cooke and Hull FC sit down to try to resolve this matter.

"If they can't, then Paul Cooke could seek an RFL dispute tribunal hearing. The earliest this could take place is next week."

The latest development will scupper Cooke's hopes of making his debut for Rovers against Huddersfield on Friday night and he could be frozen out of the game for months if lawyers become involved.

In a statement, Hull said: "This matter is now in the hands of the club lawyers. Hull FC will be making no further comment on this matter at this stage."

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