Following speculation that rugby league had been banned in Russia which surfaced on Saturday, the RLEF has issued the following statement:

'The Ministry of Sports in Moscow sent a circular memo to all sports not included on the official State Registry of Sports, highlighting the need for event organisers to follow ministerial protocols surrounding security and medical cover.

Rugby league was not singled out in the letter. The Association of Russian Rugby League clubs (ARLK) meets all reasonable standards in these two areas and we intend confirming this to the ministry. The RLEF continues to support ARLK in its bid to reinstate rugby league on to the State Registry of Sports.'