ARL Commission gives itself power to charge players for offences on the field | Read the email

The ARL Commission informed NRL clubs it has taken the extraordinary step of giving itself the power to charge players for offences on the field. SEE THE EMAIL.

ARLC chair Peter V'landys and NRL CEO Andrew Abdo in Las Vegas.

The ARL Commission has taken the extraordinary step of giving itself the power to charge players for offences on the field.

The commission informed the clubs on Monday night of their new powers, which they claim are designed to safeguard fairness to clubs and players, and enhance player safety.

It means that the ARL Commission can charge a player who has been cleared by the match review committee if they believe the offence should be sent to the judiciary.

“A change has been made to the Judiciary Code to further safeguard fairness to clubs and players and player safety and strengthen the match review process by adding a further layer of protection,” the NRL said in an email to the clubs on Monday night.

“The change provides both the commission and judiciary more flexibility with a view to ensuring clubs and players are treated fairly.”

ARLC chair Peter V'landys. Picture: Richard Dobson

According to the email, the commission now has the ability to act where a decision of the match review committee is considered inconsistent with the objects of the code.

The email adds that the effect of the change is that if a charge is issued by the ARL Commission, “it is subject to the same considerations as the MRC”.

This masthead understands that the clubs and players have raised concerns over the changes with the ARL Commission prior to Monday night’s decision - talks over the changes began last year.

It is understood that the NRL believe that the rule can work in favour of the clubs and players because the commission can also ask for a charge to be reviewed if they consider it to be inappropriate.

They also believe that the commission will add another layer of protection to ensure that incidents aren’t missed or overlooked by the MRC.

Earlier this year, it is understood the ARL Commission was concerned over an incident involving Reed Mahoney and Sharks utility Daniel Atkinson.

Mahoney was charged over the incident but escaped with only a minor fine.

Originally published as ARL Commission gives itself power to charge players for offences on the field | Read the email