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Rugby League

Cooke registration accepted

27/04/2007

Paul Cooke's registration as a Hull Kingston Rovers player has been accepted by the Rugby Football League (RFL).

The ruling takes immediate effect, meaning that, in theory, he will be available to take the field for his new club against Huddersfield Giants tonight.

Since he announced his decision to quit Hull FC earlier this week, there have been legal wrangles over whether his move across the Humber was legitimate.

But today the RFL said it had been provided evidence by Cooke's lawyers that his resignation had been accepted by his former club on Monday, April 23rd, paving the way for Cooke to apply for employment with the team he had supported as a child, Hull KR.

"Based on clear legal advice from the RFL's external lawyers - the RFL has determined there is no valid reason not to accept the registration of Paul Cooke as a player with Hull KR following the acceptance of his resignation by Hull FC," a statement from the league read.

"Accordingly Cooke is now able to begin playing for the Hull KR club with immediate effect."

Today's decision effectively ends speculation that his move would be prevented and could mean Cooke will play against his former employers in a grudge match on May 5th when Hull KR play Hull FC at the Millennium Stadium.

However, despite the matter of the player's registration for Hull KR having now been settled, the RFL added that any allegations of misconduct against both Cooke and Hull KR would be referred to the compliance commissioner.

"The RFL has no further comment to make at this stage," the statement concluded.

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