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Rugby League

Rovers bullish over Cooke case

15/11/2007

Hull KR have hit back over Paul Cooke's six-week ban, saying the punishment "offends the principles of natural justice".

The stand-off was found guilty of misconduct in yesterday's Rugby Football League tribunal over his transfer to the Robins from bitter local rivals Hull FC earlier this year.

He had resigned from Hull on April 23rd this year and sealed the deal with the Robins just four days later, raising suspicions that he had improperly contacted the Robins while still contracted to the Black and Whites.

Although the Robins were cleared of wrongdoing, a statement released this lunchtime described the suspension as punishment for the club "through the back door".

"It is extremely important to understand that this ruling was wholly based on a narrow and self-serving interpretation of the 'registration' rules and goes nowhere near answering the all-important question of why a player with nine years service from the age of 17 would become so disillusioned so as to end his playing career with Hull FC," the statement said.

"Until those people connected to Hull FC are called to account to answer that question in an open forum it is premature and lacking in basic understanding for anyone to start claiming the moral high ground and a supposed victory in the name of the integrity of the game."

Cooke will not play for his side until March 17th next year and faces potential legal action from Hull FC. He has already been ordered to pay his former club's legal costs.

The 26-year-old scored one try, 36 goals and two drop goals in his 14 appearances for the Robins last season.