Hull handed record fine

Hull fans tore down a set of goalposts after the match

Hull Rugby League Club has been handed a record fine after their fans invaded the pitch and tore down goal posts after being beaten by Leeds in the Challenge Cup.

They were fined a record £50,000 - £30,000 suspended for two years.

But Hull were not suspended from the Cup after Rugby Football League's board of directors took into account Hull's attempts to repair their tarnished image.

The mini-riot was witnessed by millions of BBC television viewers at Huddersfield's McAlpine Stadium in March.

Mounted police

Mounted police and dog handlers were called on to disperse hundreds of Hull fans who invaded the pitch and tore down a set of goal posts after their side were beaten 28-22 by Leeds.

League chairman Rodney Walker said: "The events have provided a wake-up call to the rest of the game and send out a clear message to all supporters that bad behaviour at rugby league games will not be tolerated."

Arrests are still being made after police scrutinised video footage of the incident and Hull have already handed out life bans to 16 of their supporters with up to 24 more to come following a "name-and-shame" exercise.

Fans charter

The club have implemented a community development programme, with the aid of five employees seconded from the local Council, and a total of 4,280 people have signed a new fans' charter pledging to make The Boulevard a friendly, welcoming venue.

Hull, who were represented at Wednesday's hearing in Dewsbury by solicitor Ronnie Teeman, have the right to appeal but chief executive Shane Richardson and chairman Kath Hetherington left without making any comment.

"Mr Teeman invited us to consider the severity of the sentence," said Sir Rodney.

"We considered those comments and decided to stand by our decision."