BUSINESS as usual was the steadying cry of York Rugby League Club chief executive Jim Race to a reported swoop by the Inland Revenue.

Race dismissed reports that the club faced a winding-up order by the Inland Revenue over an alleged bill of £82,000.

He told the Evening Press today agreement had been reached between the club and the Inland Revenue and he insisted a winding-up order had not been issued, rather they had made a petition at a court hearing in London in a week's time.

York RL did not have to attend the petition hearing, added Race, who refused to confirm or deny the amount of money owed.

His only comment to the Press other than an official statement was to declare: "It's business as usual at York RL."

The club statement read: "The club is aware of the winding up petition and steps have been taken to address the situation.

"Dialogue is ongoing with the Inland Revenue and a payment plan has been agreed.

"The club is actually in the healthiest financial position is has been for a number of years and our accountants Dawson and Co are confident the present situation can be fully budgeted for the coming year."

Meanwhile, York RL have arranged their first pre-season friendly away to Hunslet on January 10 and Race added that talks were going ahead to confirm a game against Superleague opposition.

Scotland and Ireland could today get the go-ahead to compete in the next World Cup.

A proposal by the Rugby Football League, if accepted by the International Federation at their two-day meeting in Sydney, will mean the break-up of the Great Britain team for the 2000 competition to be held in Europe.

The break-up of the Great Britain team beaten by both Australia and New Zealand over the last two years would seriously damage chances of a home triumph, but there is another compelling argument for fielding four home-nation teams.

The League are bidding for £750,000 of Sports Council funding as part of the World Class Performance Programme and any grant would be likely to be made on condition that separate teams are involved.

The British proposal on the agenda for the second day of the Sydney summit is for a 14-team tournament, with the possibility of Russia and Italy being brought in to take the numbers up to 16.

Delegates will also consider staging the World Nines at Johannesburg's Ellis Park in February.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.