BULLS AND RHINOS END FEUD
Bradford Bulls and Leeds Rhinos have ended their dispute over the transfer of rugby union convert Iestyn Harris.
The Bulls have agreed to an out of court settlement with Leeds in a dispute that relates to Harris' return to rugby league in 2004, with Bradford paying an "appropriate" level of compensation to Leeds in addition to their legal costs. Bradford have also apologised for their part in the transfer saga.
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Leeds, who allowed Harris to leave them in 2001 to pursue a career in rugby union with Cardiff Blues, claimed that they had first refusal on the Oldham-born stand-off on his return to the 13-man code.
Harris instead signed for Bradford, provoking Leeds into taking legal action against both Bradford Bulls and Harris.
Harris registration with the Rugby Football League was temporarily suspended amid Leeds' complaints but made his debut just two weeks later.
Leeds won an initial court battle in 2005 when a judge ruled that Leeds did have first refusal on the dual-code Welsh international although a further high-court trial was not expected to take place until 2009.
A Bradford statement issued yesterday said: "Bradford Bulls now accept that, although when they signed Mr Harris they believed that they were free to sign him and acted in good faith in doing so, they now appreciate that in fact Mr Harris was committed to sign for Leeds Rhinos at the time, and apologise to Leeds Rhinos for doing so."
Speaking at a supporters forum earlier this year, Bradford chairman Peter Hood claimed that Leeds were claiming around £3.2m in lieu of a transfer fee and lost revenue from merchandising and ticket sales.
But the Bulls statement added: "Bradford Bulls also wish to make it clear that the comments made by their Chairman, Peter Hood, reported in the press at the end of January 2008 were not intended to give the impression that Leeds Rhinos claims against Harris and Bradford Bulls were motivated by anything other than the protection of Leeds Rhinos interests."
Whilst the case between Leeds Rhinos and Bradford has now concluded, there is no indication that the case between Leeds Rhinos and Harris himself has been settled.
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