MEDIA baron Rupert Murdoch's breakaway Super League yesterday urged rebel players to return to the establishment Australian Rugby League (ARL) after a court ruling prevented them from starting their own competition.

I am publicly advising Super League contracted players that the best short term plan for them is to support their clubs in the ARL," said Super League chief executive Ken Cowley.

His advice was given following a decision by 311 players under contract to Super League to abandon plans to create a second competition in Australia.

The federal court yesterday also upheld an ARL application that News Limited, the Australian arm of Murdoch's media empire, could not pay their Super League contracted players unless they returned to the establishment league.