NRL 2020: Brisbane Broncos fined for pub breach, players named and shamed

Brisbane stars busted breaching biosecurity rules have been named and shamed as the NRL handed down fines to 10 players.

Whacked.

The Brisbane Broncos have been fined $140,000 for their disastrous Everley Park Hotel quarantine breach.

10 players have been stripped of five per cent of their 2020 season salaries, constituting a collective fine of $65,000.

The club has also been fined $75,000 by the NRL in one of the biggest fines ever handed down in the history of the competition.

The 10 players found to have breached the game’s strict biosecurity rules have been named and shamed — and issued breach notices by NRL head office.

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The players hit with fines are: Jake Turpin, Kotoni Staggs, Ethan Bullemor, David Fifita, Corey Paix, Josh James, Tyson Gambler, Keenan Palasia, Sean O’Sullivan and Corey Oates.

Development players Bullemor, James and Gamble had some of their fines suspended, pending any further breaches of the game’s Project Apollo guidelines that have allowed the season to continue in the face of coronavirus restrictions.

The NRL issued a statement to announce both the players and the club had failed in their responsibilities.

Just another day in the season from hell.

“We have taken our time to thoroughly investigate this matter so we could gather as much evidence as possible to determine exactly what happened at the venue,’’ NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said in the statement.

“It is our view that this breach involved a significant failure of the club to properly administer the League’s biosecurity protocols.”

He went on to say the penalties should be a warning to players across the competition.

“Today’s sanctions send another clear message to all players, officials and clubs that breaching protocols will not be tolerated,” he said.

Broncos CEO Paul White issued a statement to announce the club would not fight the heavy penalties handed down.

White said the club had cooperated fully with the NRL Integrity Unit investigation.

“We accept the imposition of the $75,000 fine, as the club has ultimate accountability for the actions of our players,” he said.

“The players will also pay a price in terms of individual sanctions.

“It is an expensive lesson for us all, but it reinforces how important these protocols are to the survival of our competition and community health.”

It was revealed earlier this month, Queensland Police investigated the incident where Broncos players were spotted by fans at the drinking hole the day after their Round 12 loss to the Sharks.

Queensland Police cleared the club last week of breaching the Chief Health Officer’s public health directions.

In a statement last week the Broncos claimed the players were not aware they were breaking the game’s rules.

“The team had played Cronulla at Suncorp Stadium the night before, which marked the end of a 14-day hard lockdown put in place after the team travelled to Sydney for the Round 10 game against the West Tigers on July 17,” the statement read.

“The players were of the understanding that lunch at the hotel was permissible under the more-relaxed restrictions which they were under at the time.”