CEO’s to meet and discuss plan for compulsory fines for player misconduct
NRL CEO’s will discuss a radical plan where clubs implement immediate and compulsory fines on misbehaving players who tarnish rugby league.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
NRL STAR: De Belin allegations heard in court
POLARISING: De Belin case tests NRL’s hardline stance
NRL CEO’s will discuss a radical plan where clubs implement immediate and compulsory fines on misbehaving players who tarnish rugby league.
It will form part of an in-depth and intense discussion into player misconduct at a high-powered chief executive conference in Melbourne on Friday.
The plan has been briefly explored by several CEO’s who will attend Friday’s meeting.
The Daily Telegraph understands the proposal would be similar to that introduced at Newcastle by CEO Phil Gardner.
One suggestion would see a player fined ten per cent of his contract earnings with a first offence before being increased to 25 per cent if found guilty of misconduct a second time.
Some CEO’s claim no player would be exempt from the plan. More serious off-field misbehaviour would see players sacked.
One CEO said: “The fines have to be substantial. It would be a compulsory fine – not discretionary. It would be a per cent of his playing fee – that would really whack them.
“Players would be fined, not suspended. A player on $1m a year, for example, could be fined for four games – a total of around $170,000.”
Gardner could not be contacted on Wednesday but he did fine Jacob Saifiti a juicy $50,000 after the prop was knocked out – and broke a leg - at a Hamilton pub before Christmas.
That fine equated to 25 per cent of his salary.
NRL CEO Todd Greenberg will stress to club CEO’s once again on Friday the importance of player behaviour.
“I’ve been very clear about the damage which the recent incidents have had and will have on the game as a whole. The damage is significant,” Greenberg told The Daily Telegraph.
“That’s why it is so important to ensure we – as a game – change behaviours and attitudes. Clearly player behaviour is a focus for the game right now and as a result will be a key discussion point on Friday.
“I have already held a phone hook-up with all club CEOs and captains but when we get an opportunity it is important that we have a meaningful discussion as a group.
“As a game we should be united in ensuring damage to the game from off-field incidents is significantly reduced.”
Greenberg’s spiel will come two days after horrific details were tendered in Wollongong Court over an alleged gang rape involving Dragons and NSW forward Jack de Belin.
Player misbehaviour and misconduct will headline Friday’s CEO meeting.
Panthers Group CEO Brian Fletcher said his players had been told multiple times about their responsibilities.
“We can’t give our players anymore instructions. It’s been talked about for the last four months. Our players have been addressed on a lot of occasions,” Fletcher said. “Education-wise, we can’t do anymore.
“They’ve got the message by now. If they step out of line in those areas, domestic violence, they’ve got only themselves to blame. They know the rules. How many times can you tell them? It could be career-ending, as simple as that.”
South Sydney chief executive Blake Solly gave reasons why Friday’s meeting was vital.
“The CEO’s I have spoken to are of the view that we should spend as long as we need on Friday discussing it,” said Solly. “We are happy to be let by Todd and his management team.
“It’s a big issue for the game to confront and we should be devoting as much time as we need to consider and discuss better ways and solutions to the current challenges.
“I don’t think there is any one magic wand or a silver bullet solution. What we’re dealing with is going to have to be across a range of activities from education training, wellbeing and sanctions for people who misbehave.
“Clubs, the game and the RLPA have to be as open-minded as we can be. What’s happened over a period of time, with sanctions for off-field misconduct, player education and wellbeing, has kind of grown in a patchwork manner.
“The challenges are such that there isn’t going to be an easy off-the-shelf, one-item solution. We are kidding ourselves if we think there is. But there is a great desire among the CEO’s, the game and RLPA to address these challenges.”
The meeting will be held in Melbourne to coincide with the Indigenous-Maori All Stars game at AAMI Park, which kicks off at 8pm.
Every game of every round of the NRL Telstra Premiership LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. SIGN UP NOW!
Originally published as CEO’s to meet and discuss plan for compulsory fines for player misconduct
Suaalii’s secret $4m contract clause
The Roosters’ hopes of bringing Joseph Suaalii back to the NRL have taken a huge hit with reports of a $4 million clause.
Suaalii set to join Wallabies just weeks after last NRL appearance
Little more than a fortnight after his last appearance for the Sydney Roosters, and before even lacing up his boots for the Waratahs, Joseph Suaalii is set to join the Wallabies for the first time.