Strike Force Nuralda to meet with Sydney NRL club administrations
DETECTIVES from the NSW Organised Crime Squad will meet with CEOs from each of Sydney’s eight NRL clubs to heighten warnings to players about associating with criminal figures.
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DETECTIVES from the NSW Organised Crime Squad will meet with CEOs from each of Sydney’s eight NRL clubs to heighten warnings to players about associating with criminal figures.
Two officers from Strike Force Nuralda will take the unprecedented step of organising one-on-one briefings with leading Sydney club administrations in coming months.
The ploy to protect the code, clubs and players from being exposed and lured by crime figures has emerged in the wake of an end to NSW Police’s 24-month investigation into alleged match-fixing in the 2015-16 season.
While determining no criminal offences had been committed, the investigation did reveal “activities and practices that are deemed as high risk for the NRL”.
It’s why representatives of Strike Force Nuralda met recently with NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg and head of NRL Integrity Nick Weeks.
That meeting resulted in the NRL being provided recommendations to ensure the integrity of the code is not compromised by the infiltration of organised crime.
The NRL made note of their tightened access to dressing rooms to prevent undesirable persons gaining access to players while also stopping the use of telephones by players before and during matches.
Greenberg said the NRL would continue to invest in protecting the sport’s integrity.
“We will continue to work with the clubs and players on drug and gambling programs — and to educate players on the need to make the right lifestyle choices,” he said.