President of the NSW Council for Civil Liberties speaks up for Sea Eagles in match fixing allegations

THE Sea Eagles have gained an unlikely new supporter in the president of the NSW Council for Civil Liberties.

NSW Council for Civil Liberties president Stephen Blanks. Picture: Alan Place.

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THE Sea Eagles have gained an unlikely new supporter, with the president of the NSW Council for Civil Liberties expressing his concern for the club being publicly caught up in the current NRL match fixing allegations.

“Generally speaking it would be much better if the police didn’t announce that they were undertaking investigations or inquiries until they have laid charges,” solicitor Stephen Blanks told the Manly Daily.

“Because obviously the media find it hard to report on these matters without conveying the possibility that someone who is under investigation is in fact guilty.”

NSW Police are investigating allegations of match fixing in the NRL.

It has been reported that the Sea Eagles 20-8 loss to the Rabbitohs last June and their 20-16 defeat by Parramatta last August were the subject of inquiries by the NSW Organised Crime squad with claims that up to six NRL players were involved.

“Obviously people who are subject of an investigation have the presumption of innocence,” Blanks said.

“And the public should be reminded that whenever police announce investigations that the people they are investigating are innocent until proven guilty and are entitled to their day in court.

“I do have sympathy for the club because when the police announce these sort of inquiries don’t make clear that the people they are investigating are entitled to a presumption of innocence,” Blanks said.

“The police stories often operate as a smear and that is why they should refrain from saying too much, especially when investigations are at an early stage.”

Police Deputy Commissioner Catherine Byrne said yesterday that the match fixing investigation was “legitimate and authentic.”