RUGBY league chiefs were meeting this afternoon, with the future of York Wasps high on the agenda.

The Rugby Football League Council were to sit down with the main point of discussion being Wasps' bid to be readmitted to the league.

The council - made up of representatives from each of the 30 other Super League and Northern Ford Premiership clubs - were set to vote on whether the new-look Wasps should be allowed back in, with the result expected by 5pm.

The Evening Press website - www.thisisyork.co.uk -- will have all the latest news.

As reported by the Press, fans who have led the "Keep Wasps Buzzing" campaign - following the closure of the old club by the former board in March - were to attend the meeting to try to convince the RFL Council that their business plan was workable.

Copies of the business plan were earlier sent to the RFL board to be perused ahead of today's meeting, and board members were expected to make recommendations to the RFL Council today. It is understood that the board's recommendations are usually ratified by the council.

If given the go-ahead, Wasps fans will form a supporters' trust and a new company, with the trust taking an active role in the running of that company. That company will effectively be the new rugby league club, which will take on the franchise and fixtures of the old club.

The old club folded on March 26 after its directors revealed it was in debt with a negative income stream, a situation they felt unable to rectify.

Updated: 12:01 Wednesday, May 01, 2002