Peter V’landys and Andrew Abdo vow to invest even more powers into NRL watchdog in wake of Sam Burgess case
The game’s official watchdog has come under fire for failing to do more after a woman made an official complaint against Sam Burgess in 2018. But Peter V’landys and Andrew Abdo say suggestions the NRL Integrity Unit needs to go are absurd.
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Peter V’landys says any suggestions the NRL Integrity Unit needs to be overhauled or blown up in the wake of the Sam Burgess case are absurd.
And NRL CEO Andrew Abdo says more resources — not less — will be provided to beef up the powers of the NRL watchdog.
The ARLC chairman is aware of criticism directed at the Integrity Unit for why they failed to do more to act after a woman made an official complaint to Souths after feeling “violated” during a sexting scandal involving Burgess in 2018.
At the time, the woman at the centre of the scandal was interviewed by NRL Integrity Unit investigator Karyn Murphy.
The interview was conducted after the woman sent an email to the Rabbitohs in May, complaining she was left feeling violated and disgusted by the social media exchange.
Burgess was eventually cleared of any wrongdoing over the lewd photo scandal, with his version of events being that the social media exchanges were consensual.
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In the wake of explosive allegations laid against Burgess by The Australian newspaper on Friday, V’landys was quick to extinguish any scrutiny of the integrity unit.
“Integrity is everything,” V’landys said.
“Of course, we will always review and assess our processes. But any suggestion that our sport would be better off without an integrity unit is ridiculous.
“The integrity of sport is paramount and you need to have resources to protect that integrity.
“And we‘re not going to skimp on those because people have got to have confidence in the game’s integrity.
“It’s everything — it’s paramount, it’s one the strongest objectives of the game.’’
V’landys view was supported by NRL CEO Andrew Abdo, who has been vocal in stressing the allegations laid against Burgess were “were made and what was written in The Australian, was new information to the NRL”.
The newly appointed CEO also pointed to the fact that despite being in charge of slashing 25 per cent of its workforce to reduce spending by $50 million as part of plans to reorganise the business, the NRL Integrity Unit has been spared from any cost-cutting.
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“Because of the integrity of our sport is so critical to us, we need to think of ways we can become even more effective and even more proactive in this area,” Abdo said.
One area of forensic support the NRL has the power to call on is Sport Integrity Australia, who contacted the NRL on Friday.
Sport Integrity Australia CEO David Sharpe said the allegations laid against Burgess highlights the importance of maintaining integrity units across all sport.
“The NRL has maintained their integrity unit throughout COVID, which is important to be able to manage a matter of this nature,” Sharpe said.
Abdo said the investigation into Burgess was ongoing.
MORE BURGESS
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Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett addresses Sam Burgess scandal
Sam Burgess stands down from coaching duties, South Sydney breaks silence
Sam Burgess: Rabbitohs doctor Andrew McDonald named in allegations