NRL 2020: Australian Medical Association labels Peter V’landys’ crowd plan as ‘unfair’ and ‘unwise’
After first being slapped down by the NSW Premier, Peter V’landys’ NRL crowd return plan has now been slammed by the AMA, who have labelled it ‘unfair’ and ‘unwise’.
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The Australian Medical Association has lashed out at the NRL’s wish to have crowds back by July, labelling it “absurd” and “dangerous”.
The NRL has outlined plans to have capped crowds back at NRL matches, with numbers dependent on the stadium size.
Both the NSW and Queensland governments have said they are open to working with the league on a plan, but indicated it could be too soon to consider.
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But Australia’s chief association for doctors and medical practitioners said any plan to have crowds back at suburban grounds was a “huge” risk to public health amid the coronavirus.
“Put bluntly, this absurd and dangerous idea belongs in the sin bin,” AMA president Tony Bartone said in a statement.
“The NRL should be satisfied that it has its competition back in action, but it is unfair and unwise to put the health of the game’s fans at risk.
“They must first monitor the health and safety of the players and officials who will be involved in the thick of the on-field action.
“Australians have done exceptionally well in flattening the COVID-19 curve, and we are not too far away from relaxing more restrictions.”
The association highlighted the slow return to sport in Europe without crowds and praised the AFL for their cautious approach to wait for expert medical advice.
However, the NRL has said they will act only on the instruction of government and expert advice and is planning to submit its proposal to authorities. They would also implement strict biosecurity measures around any return to crowds.
The limited number of fans would be scanned by a thermal camera on the entry to grounds and would need to have the government’s COVID-Safe app downloaded. Some matches would also be played in bigger venues, with ANZ Stadium’s capacity far higher than that of a suburban ground.
ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys claims the idea is based on the suggestion that open-air spaces are safer than enclosed venues.
He has insisted any push for a return to capped crowds would depend on how Australia’s case numbers perform as the country begins to re-open amid the pandemic.
Premier’s NRL slap down: Crowd returns ‘not on the list’
It is “too soon to speculate” whether crowds would be allowed in to NRL games from July 1, the state’s Chief Health Officer says, writes Paul Crawley.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the government was not yet considering ARL Commission chairman Peter V’Landys’ plan to get spectators back to stadiums.
“We’re working our way through the list. And that’s not on the list as yet,” Berejiklian said on Monday.
Dr Kerry Chant said the government would need to work through concerns about large crowds and groups mingling with others.
“We are considering every organisation’s needs and are happy to work with them on looking at how to create that COVID-safer environment,” she said.
With the NRL’s highly anticipated return now just days away, V’landys revealed his next huge mission: To get paying members back at games by July 1, and sponsors even sooner.
V’landys made the stunning admission that will come as a massive shot in the arm to footy-starved fans.
And The Daily Telegraph can reveal which fans are first in line to secure their tickets to games.
While clubs have copped some backlash for asking members to keep up their financial support through the COVID-19 shutdown, V’landys said now he wanted to reward them for their loyalty.
Asked if he had a specific date in mind when he thinks crowds will return, V’landys didn’t hesitate: “I am going to aim for July 1 to see what we can do.
“We want the sponsors in there as quickly as possible.
“You are allowed so many people so we will start looking at that with the biosecurity measures in the coming weeks.
“And I am not saying capacity crowds. I have to stress capped crowds. That is one way you can reward the members that have stuck firm.”
While V’landys has been questioned and even ridiculed for his dogged determination to get the game back up and running, he said he always had a plan to open the game back up to the fans.
“There was a lot of things in my head when I went with the 20 rounds (schedule),” he continued.
“One was to make the competition credible. Two to go as late as possible into October so we can get a grand final with a crowd and then State of Origin with a crowd. That was always in my head.
“And touch wood and thank God so far I have predicted accurately. I said we’d be able to stay in Queensland. I said we’d stay in Victoria. I said we wouldn’t need bubbles.
“So everything we have said has come to fruition.
“The last puzzle now is the crowds.”
Asked about how many members would be allowed to attend games, V’landys added: “It depends on the ground and how far you can distance them.
“In ANZ you might be able to get 20,000 with social distancing, whereas somewhere like Kogarah you might get 5000. I am only guessing these figures, but it is absolutely on the radar. That is the next challenge.
“But I want to reward the members of the clubs. That is who I want to reward. As I have said many times, people who give me loyalty I give it back in spades.
“Those members who have stayed loyal I will be rewarding.”
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Under the revised draw round eight starts on July 2 and the NRL already has venues locked in until the end of round nine.
So obviously the NRL will still have to work the details on how this can happen fairly given most clubs will have more members than potential available tickets.
For instance at a club like South Sydney with 28,000-plus members they might have to take it in turns to attend the home games initially, or the NRL might split the fans from both rival clubs.
But what V’landys has proven previously is that he will move mountains to make the seemingly impossible possible as he did with getting the NRL back so early, so members have every reason to trust his intentions now are genuine.
V’landys added: “I have to be careful to say they are capped (crowds) and with social distancing. But once pubs and clubs are in full swing there is no reason why we can’t.
“Again, we are going to look at the statistics. But if between now and the end of June the infection rate stays where it is, well, I can’t see any reason why not.”