NRL stars cop fines but avoid suspension

The NRL stars caught breaking social distancing regulations have been handed sizeable fines, but their penalty came with a surprise.

James Matthey

@jamesmatthey

2 min read

April 28, 2020 - 4:25PM

NRL stars Latrell Mitchell and Josh Addo-Carr have been fined $50,000 each for breaching social distancing restrictions, while Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary has copped a $10,000 whack.

Newcastle player Tyronne Roberts-Davis was also given a $10,000 fine for breaking lockdown rules alongside Mitchell and Addo-Carr.

However, $30,000 of Mitchell and Addo-Carr’s fines have been suspended, while $6000 of Roberts-Davis and Cleary’s fine have been suspended.

That means, for now, Mitchell and Addo-Carr only need to cough up $20,000. Cleary and Roberts-Davis will fork out $4000.

Surprisingly, the misbehaving players will not miss any games as the NRL decided not to ban them, instead handing out one-game suspended bans to each.

They will all be eligible to play if the season restarts on May 28 as planned.

Many in rugby league land were shocked the stars avoided concrete match bans, complaining their punishment didn’t go far enough.

The NRL’s announcement comes after former Penrith supremo and ex-NSW coach Phil Gould called for all of the offending players to be suspended for the entire season.

No suspension for all 4 players. This is shocking to me - they put the game, not to mention their communities in jeopardy ... and they still get to play? #NRL
— Veronica Eggleton (@veggleton) April 28, 2020

The NRL had a chance to send a clear message to the players and failed miserably.

If you think a 20k fine (50k with 60% suspended) is sufficient, you are kidding yourself.

These blokes have jeopardised the return of the footy and the livelihoods of the players and officials
— Mark Levy (@marklevy2gb) April 28, 2020

The #NRL & ARLC have to be kidding over the so-called "punishments". Absolute joke.JAC had already been warned TWICE.this hasn't set any example, its gives the impression the @NRL is more worried about having players on the field than having credibility. @10NewsFirst @10Daily
— Bernie Coen (@berniecoen) April 28, 2020

Latrell Mitchell, Josh Addo-Carr, Tyronne Roberts-Davis and Nathan Cleary all avoid bans for bringing the game into disrepute. Not even close to harsh enough. #NRL
— Scott Bailey (@ScottBaileyAAP) April 28, 2020

All bark no bite @NRL https://t.co/cxwgggEj5D
— Simon Brunsdon (@SimonBrunsdon) April 28, 2020

Melbourne winger Addo-Carr and Rabbitohs fullback Mitchell were embroiled in controversy yesterday, forced to apologise after they were busted breaking social distancing rules at Mitchell’s property near Taree on the NSW mid-north coast.

Videos and photos shared on social media showed them riding bikes and shooting with other people and they were both fined $1000 by police.

Then today, photos emerged of NSW State of Origin playmaker Cleary at home with a group of at least five females, who briefly visited his home on Anzac Day.

New NRL CEO Andrew Abdo, who only took on the job last week after Todd Greenberg stood down, said in a statement: “The sanctions proposed today are stronger than fines which can be imposed by authorities because we hold our players to a higher standard and they must set a higher standard for the community.

“We are focused on resuming the competition on May 28, something our fans and stakeholders are excited about. Players who do not comply with community and NRL protocols will face sanction.

“They have an opportunity to think about what we do before the start of the season. These fines are significant, significantly higher. This is based on the players acting against a public health order and bringing the game into disrepute. We’ll review the findings of the police, and we’ll be in a better position to make a decision.”

Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) chairman Peter V’landys added: “The players have to understand they are putting the game and community at risk by their actions. It’s certainly hard to accept such behaviour when the game is doing everything it can to persuade the community its players are responsible and behave appropriately.”