NRL fears more pitch invasions as federal election looms

The NRL has written to all clubs warning them to be on alert for further political stunts as the RLPA raises fears for player safety.

The NRL is on high alert after CEO Andrew Abdo sent an urgent memo to all clubs warning

players about the “risk of serious injury” by attempting to “manhandle” burning flares from on-field protesters.

And The Daily Telegraph can reveal Abdo and the RLPA fear further political stunts from

pitch invaders could continue with the Federal election now locked down for May

21.

Last week’s round of NRL was marred by five pitch invasions with one protester, Andrew George, who ran onto Cronulla’s PointsBet Stadium with a flare, being jailed for three

months.

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Joe Ofahengaue of the Tigers holds a pitch invader carrying a flare during the round five NRL match between the Cronulla Sharks and the Wests Tigers. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

The eight home clubs for this coming round – Canberra, Souths, Penrith, Manly, Melbourne,

Roosters, Dragons and Parramatta – will consider beefing up security numbers at games to between 18 and 22.

The NRL, RLPA, NSW Police, State Government, stadium operators and clubs have all been involved in talks this week to prevent further on-field disruptions.

In the email to clubs, obtained exclusively by The Daily Telegraph, Abdo writes: “While pitch invasions in professional sport are not limited to rugby league, it is important that all clubs have in place appropriate measures to reduce the risk of unauthorised entry to the field of play.

“With the upcoming Federal election, major events including NRL fixtures may be used as a platform and clubs will need to maintain increased awareness around access to restricted areas and spectator behaviour.”

The pitch invade is tackled by security during the round five NRL match between the Cronulla Sharks and the Wests Tigers. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Under a headline of Flare Management, Abdo writes: “Venue security must have a plan in place for flare management, including extinguishing and removing activated flares. It is important that players and officials do not attempt to handle flares at any point – removal is a matter for venue security.”

Abdo then refers to the NRL’s security guidelines, which states: “Players or Match Officials should not try to remove the flare. Mishandling a flare could result in serious injury.”

The NRL boss also recommends “clubs ensure venues are conducting 100 per cent bag, flag and banner checks to detect prohibited items such as flares. ‘Wanding’ (with scanners) is also recommended as an additional tool for detecting dangerous materials.”

The game’s security guidelines also remind security workers to “remain focused on the job and not distracted by the match itself.”

Abdo said: “Obviously we were disappointed with what occurred in round five and there is heightened risk at the moment so therefore we want to work together to ensure a safe experience for all match day attendees, officials and players.

“We will work to have all the appropriate measures in place to try and be as proactive

and aware as possible. I sent a note out to the clubs providing some additional recommendations which they may want to consider around the best security on match day.

“(That is) potentially additional staff and to make sure there is additional screening

when people enter the stadium.”

Canberra host the opening game of round six against North Queensland on Thursday night at

GIO Stadium.

Payback 😂 #NRLpic.twitter.com/1eEG5BQxu7

— Rob Shehadie (@RShehadie) April 10, 2022

“We have just reminded GIO Stadium of maybe some heightened chances of political interference or political protestations but we are comfortable with our security protocols

at the ground,” said Raiders CEO, Don Furner said. “No players have expressed

any extra concerns to me.”

RLPA chief executive Clint Newton added: “Given we have an election coming up, that there

will potentially be sporting events will be most probably be high risk with people feeling like this is their opportunity to have their say by taking the field and putting the players’ health and safety at risk.

“Given the election announcement, you would certainly suggest that sporting events are

going to be of greater risk when it comes to pitch invasions.” Newton said

the flare drama last week was “particularly disturbing.”

“It was a hugely concerning issue over last weekend. We do not want the players’ health

and safety at risk. That field is the domain for the players and match officials. While they are playing we have to ensure they are completely protected from dangerous situations that are preventable,” he said.

A pitch invader made onto the field in the Tigers v Sharks game. Fox League

“When a dangerous item is ignited in the middle of a player huddle then that is particularly

disturbing.

“Without proper security, the players are very vulnerable to pitch invaders and questions are certainly going to be asked around that. It is a serious workplace healthy and safety issue. The time to act on this is now. Origin, Magic Round, these are also key major events that are going to be really important.

“When it comes to ground management and safety, we should all be together to prevent pitch

invaders from endangering players. The ratio of security to field dimensions would, based on what I saw last weekend, would increase.

“We would certainly be asking for more security at all games and people with the capacity

to manage individuals that choose to take the field.

“There is also the screening measures. You have to be incredibly vigilant – and I’m not

suggesting we turn stadiums into airports – but the fact a person was able to get a flare into the ground – and then let it off on the field – is an issue. That was of particular concern.

“The time it took for that person to get into the middle of the field, be so close to players, and then light a flare, that could have had serious implications. It was just far too long. In its simplest form, that’s unacceptable.”