Melbourne Storm chairman lashes NRL over Jack de Belin stance

The NRL will consider standing down players accused of serious crimes after promising to review a hardline stance put forward by Melbourne chairman Bart Campbell.

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The powerful owner and chairman of Melbourne Storm has attacked the NRL’s handling of the Jack de Belin case and their refusal to ban the accused rapist from the game.

Bart Campbell sent a scathing email to the bosses of all NRL clubs on Thursday, declaring: “Standing around while Rome burns is not good enough. As a game we need to do something.”

The Daily Telegraph has obtained a copy of the email which includes a request to put the case of the St George Illawarra forward and other off-season scandal on the agenda for the next meeting of club chairs on February 28.

He included a link to an online story about the threat of a sponsor exodus as a result of rugby league’s off-season of shame.

Bart Campbell isn’t satisfied with the NRL’s response. Photo: Aaron Francis

Campbell later spoke of his frustration about the damage being caused to the game.

“The game’s capacity to hurt itself is wonderful,” he said, “We appear to be morally tone deaf as an organisation. We’re repeatedly making life tough for ourselves.

“I’m saying this as someone from a club that has had its own issues but it’s time for the governing body to act and act quickly.”

Asked would Storm stand down a player facing rape charges, the Storm boss said: “If he was one of our own, yes.

“What would happen in the real world is someone was dealing with an issue like this (de Belin case).

“Would they be able to go to work still? It’s not for me to tell other clubs what to do but I know what the governing body should do. They’ve got to get on the front foot and drive change.”

The NRL doesn’t know where to draw the line on player behaviour. Photo: AAP Image/Dean Lewins

ARLC chairman Peter Beattie said Campbell’s submission would be reviewed when the commission meets on February 28.

“The ARLC is strongly opposed to anyone in rugby league being involved in violence of any kind, especially domestic violence and any behaviour which brings the game into disrepute,” Beattie said.

“The ARLC has instructed the NRL to take the strongest possible action against any player engaged in such behaviour - from serious fines to suspensions and de- registration.”
Campbell is a renowned marketing expert in international sport.

In the story he circulated on email, the NRL is described as ‘hopeless’ in brand management.

Ben Parsons, founder of the Ministry of Sport, says recent controversies would force companies to question their investment in clubs and the game.

“No one’s actually showing (the players) what good brand is, the NRL are hopeless,” Parsons said.

“I put them in my top five worst administrators for brand and reputation management for individual athletes.”

Todd Greenberg is being judged ons his handling of the case. Photo: Richard Dobson

The Daily Telegraph understands Campbell received strong support from other chairs as the pressure mounted on NRL boss Todd Greenberg and independent commission boss Peter Beattie to resolve an issue that has been hugely detrimental to the integrity of the sport.

Online polls are overwhelmingly in favour of de Belin being stood down, despite his not-guilty plea, owing to the seriousness of the allegations.

There were suggestions in rugby league circles that Greenberg would have further talks with St George Illawarra about the immediate future of the NSW State of Origin star.

The strategy is for de Belin to be encouraged to make the decision to stand down himself.

He would be paid until the case is finalised in court.

To further encourage the Dragons, the club could be offered salary cap relief to replace de Belin while he is awaiting an outcome.

Originally published as Melbourne Storm chairman lashes NRL over Jack de Belin stance