ARLC chairman Peter Beattie will need all his political skills in battle with RLPA over Jack de Belin

ARLC chairman Peter Beattie will need all his political skills in battle with the Rugby League Players Association over calls to stand down Jack de Belin.

x x x x x

• NRL war as Knights fuel fire over criminal behaviour
• Buzz: Mal Meninga shows NRL the right way

Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter Beattie is on a collision course with the Rugby League Players Association over calls to stand down Jack de Belin, and this could get even uglier in the days ahead.

While RLPA chief executive Ian Prendergast backed the game’s stance against violence against women, Prendergast urged powerbrokers: “The game can’t be judge, jury and executioner before the criminal process is complete.”

But as the star Dragons ­forward awaits his trial for ­aggravated sexual assault charges, Beattie foreshadowed immediate changes could be pushed through at a meeting next Thursday to prevent de Belin and other players facing serious criminal charges from taking the field.

The response to the de Belin case is splitting the game. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins)

Beattie conceded the current policy “needs changing”, and while he has the support of most of the game’s most powerful figures, including Test coach Mal Meninga, the RLPA isn’t with him.

“You often hear people say that ‘no individual is bigger than the game’, but we also need to ensure that the interests of sport are not put before the fundamental human rights of the participants,” Prendergast said.

There is a fear if this goes pear-shaped in the coming days, it could ultimately leave the game’s bosses and players at loggerheads, not unlike where it was during the most recent Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations.

RLPA boss Ian Prendergast has to look out for the players’ welfare. (AAP Image/Carol Cho)

So far there has been no talk of any strike action, and given the current climate, players would be reluctant to tread down that path, especially given the community and ­corporate backlash that has followed such a disastrous off-season.

But when push comes to shove at next week’s ARLC meeting, Beattie will be forced to call on all his political skills to negotiate a way forward that appeases both parties.

The one thing Beattie or NRL boss Todd Greenberg can’t afford to do is treat players’ union representatives with a lack of respect.

Penrith’s James Maloney has been the only top-line player to support de Belin being allowed to continue to play.

Jack de Belin has the support of his teammates. (Simon Bullard)

However, it is understood the majority of NRL players are supporting the status quo and, in particular, de Belin’s Dragons teammates are ­extremely concerned for the Origin forward’s welfare given his side of the story has yet to be told.

One of the most sensible options discussed so far would be to stand de Belin down on full pay and support his rights to a presumption of innocence while he awaits trial.

And also to offer St George Illawarra salary cap relief to help the club and its fans deal with the burden of going into the season without one of its ­highest-paid stars.

The Dragons would be hard-pressed to find a player of similar quality this close to the start of the season, but at least it would allow them to go searching in the market.

Beattie and Todd Greenberg are struggling to find the right ground. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas)

This could also have an impact all clubs given many club bosses have already indicated they would stand down a player facing a serious criminal ­offence in the future.

But the RLPA is adamant de Belin, and every player charged with a serious criminal offence, should be allowed to keep playing while awaiting trial. And that is going to be the issue for Beattie.

“The RLPA’s position is clear in that we continue to support the current NRL policy of not standing players down following criminal charges to ensure their fundamental right to the presumption of innocence is protected,” Prendergast said. “It is also our view that, given any change to the policy could materially impact on the employment of a player, the ARLC and NRL would be required to reach agreement on that change with the RLPA.

“It is important as a game that we respect the integrity of any criminal proceedings.

“We understand that this issue is a complex and challenging one. It’s important that the public understand that players support the strong stance being taken by the game regarding violence against women.

“Our members are clear on that. There is no place for this in society or rugby league.

“However, this debate is not about that; it’s about ensuring that any action taken by the game is fair and is taken at the appropriate time. The principle of presumption of innocence is well established in this country and should be respected.”

Originally published as ARLC chairman Peter Beattie will need all his political skills in battle with RLPA over Jack de Belin