NRL 2020: CEO Andrew Abdo’s ‘Curtis Scott’ warning for players as bubble bursts
After 140 days in the NRL bubble, players out of finals contention are almost ready to kick back and let loose. But CEO Andrew Abdo has issued a timely reminder to be smart during the off-season, writes Paul Crawley.
NRL
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NRL boss Andrew Abdo has issued a final round warning for players ready to bust out of the ‘bubble’ this weekend: Don’t become the next Curtis Scott.
“Don’t put yourself in that position,” Abdo said of the drunken state that led to Scott’s infamous Australia Day arrest.
“Don’t put your fate in the hands of others.”
While NRL players have been locked up in a ‘bubble’ for more than 140 days, those from the eight teams not in finals contention will get their freedom back following this weekend’s final round.
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Abdo praised the players for their behaviour this year, and the incredible sacrifices they have made to keep the game up and running.
But he also revealed that he had passed on a strong message to all club bosses this week, to tell the players not to let their standards slip in the coming weeks and months.
Clubs have been warned not to put on any paid Mad Monday-like celebrations, many of which have led to trouble in previous years.
All NRL players have been in the ‘bubble’ since early May.
It has meant that they haven’t been allowed to go to restaurants, pubs and clubs and socialise with people outside of football, not even family who they do not live with.
But for the teams not in finals contention, or those who won’t be a part of Origin, clubs will have a maximum of three days to hold the players back after their last game.
This will allow clubs time to do post-season debriefs in a group situation, as well as physical and medical assessments and arrange off-season training programs.
But some clubs have decided they will be letting their players out as soon as they finish their finals games this weekend, and only bring them back in smaller groups for final assessments.
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Abdo wants the players to enjoy themselves and reconnect with family and friends.
But what happened to Scott on his visit to Sydney with teammates earlier this year should remind everyone of what can happen, even when you think you have done nothing illegal.
Scott has received huge support in the wake of the release of the shocking video that showed his Australia Day arrest.
While Scott is now taking legal action against NSW Police, Abdo doesn’t apologise for the NRL slapping Scott with a suspended $15,000 fine.
Scott won’t have to pay the fine if he completes an alcohol education and counselling program.
But Abdo’s message was clear: “There were things that he did that we don’t expect NRL players to do because they are role models.
“That is why the fine was suspended too. That is why we have said ‘get on top of these issues’, and we want to help Curtis.”
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Abdo said it was important for the players to take responsibility for their actions.
“We’ve had a very difficult but a good year in that everyone has maintained strong discipline and that needs to continue in the off season,” he said.
“We have all done a great job. There has been a lot of sacrifices.
“For those staying in the comp we need to double down on being disciplined and sticking to the protocols, because obviously there is a lot at stake through finals.
“For those that are no longer in the competition, (they need) to again be cognisant of the fact that there still are state protocols and health restrictions … and to make sure that they enjoy some time out of the bubble but in a responsible way.”
Originally published as NRL 2020: CEO Andrew Abdo’s ‘Curtis Scott’ warning for players as bubble bursts