Sam Barlow, Sheffield Eagles Legal Case

The rugby league team Sheffield Eagles have informed their former player Sam Barlow and also his new club Halifax that they have just a week to agree compensation over an allegation of a breach of contract.
The breach of contract relates to an agreement between Sam Barlow and the Sheffield Eagles. The Eagles state that Sam Barlow signed agreement before his release from the club in July, not to play against them for the remainder of the 2010 season. Despite this, Barlow did play for Halifax against the Eagles, in which Halifax won 42-16. To make the situation even worse, Barlow was highly influential and also scored a try. Due to this, Sheffield Eagles have now taken legal advice and may pursue legal proceedings against the player; this may see Sam Barlow being sued. The Eagles insist that this action has been taken in the interests of the game of Rugby League and not just for their team. The board of directors of the Sheffield Eagles are apparently prepared to take this case as far as is possible in order to be compensated and also until punishment is put in place.
The Halifax head coach Matt Calland has spoken out at the amount of pressure and stress which Sam Barlow has been put under due to these allegations. Matt Calland also went on to say that Sam was only played due to authorisation being granted from the governing body.
Halifax has had previous related problems, earlier this year the team was thrown out of the Challenge Cup after fielding an ineligible player. Although it is believed that the Rugby Football League will not get involved in this matter.