NRL sanctions two high-profile player agents Mario Tartak and Matt Desira over major breaches

The NRL has sanctioned two of the game’s most powerful agents - who manage Benji Marshall and Josh Addo-Carr - over breaches of their accreditation scheme. However, one agent is set to fight his suspension with the help of a legal high flyer.

Super-agent Mario Tartak has vowed to fight for his accreditation after enlisting legal high flyer Nick Ghabar to challenge a proposed 12-month suspension over alleged breaches of the NRL’s player management rules.

The NRL on Thursday revealed that Tartak along with fellow agent Matt Desira had been issued with show cause notices proposing that they be fined and suspended for alleged breaches of the accreditation rules.

Tartak, one of the most powerful agents in the game with a stable that includes the likes of Parramatta’s Josh Addo-Carr and Manly’s Haumole Olakau’atu, is facing a 12-month ban and a $25,000 fine for allegedly approaching an underage player without a parent or legal guardian in attendance.

He is also alleged to have entered into a commercial arrangement with two NRL clubs in violation of the game’s accreditation rules - it is understood only one of the arrangements, believed to be related to sponsorships, came to fruition.

Desira, who counts Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall and Bulldogs centre Bronson Xerri among his clientele, was breached in relation to allegations of dishonesty following police charges and court proceedings which were brought against him.

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Desira was charged with possession of cocaine last year while at a popular Sydney nightspot - the offence was dismissed without conviction after he submitted a written guilty plea.

At the time, it was reported that Desira had told the NRL it was a case of mistaken identity. It is understood he has taken legal advice and plans to appeal the sanctions.

Tartak also got on the front foot on Thursday, hiring Ghabar to challenge his sanctions.

Ghabar has become a rugby league gun for hire, often representing players at the NRL judiciary.

“This is a matter that directly involves my client’s livelihood and as such my client intends to respond to the NRL’s show cause notice as is appropriate,” Ghabar said.

“To be clear, he does not accept any assertion that he knowingly contravened the player agent rules. His response will come in the fullness of time and it would be inappropriate to make any further comment at this time.”

Mario Tartak, who manages Josh Addo-Carr, has been sanctioned by the NRL. Picture: Jonathan Ng

The stakes are high for both Tartak and Desira. Under the standard agents agreement, players are entitled to leave their agent should they have their accreditation suspended or canceled.

Tartak previously had his accreditation suspended over a false bankruptcy claim six years ago stemming from a personal dispute with American Express.

Tartak resolved the issue and his accreditation was reinstated. The boss of Crown Sports has some of the biggest names in the game on his client list.

Aside from Addo-Carr and Olakau’atu, Tartak also looks after Damien Cook, Tallyn da Silva, the Fainu brothers - Latu, Sione and Samuela - Luciano Leilua, Jeremy Marshall-King, Jason Saab, Josh Schuster and Moses Suli.

If his suspension is upheld, it would prevent Tartak negotiating with clubs on behalf of his clients for the next year. Desira, whose client list includes Xerri, Jayden Campbell and Alec MacDonald, would be prevented from speaking to clubs for six months.

The NRL is in the process of reviewing the agent accreditation rules after a volley of criticism over the years related to the industry.

Originally published as NRL sanctions two high-profile player agents Mario Tartak and Matt Desira over major breaches