Players' union to fight for Paul Gallen's 'rights'
Margie McDonald and Stuart Honeysett
May 30, 2009
THE players' union has accused the NRL of showing no regard for Paul Gallen's rights and reputation after it fined him $10,000 for racial abuse.
Rugby League Players Association chairman Paul Moreton last night raised the prospect of legal action and called for an urgent meeting with the NRL to thrash out the issue.
"By behaving in this way the NRL has signalled to our members that they are held in scant regard and their rights and reputations are unimportant," Moreton said.
"What we find ourselves is swimming in a sea of hearsay and opinion, where we're dealing with negativity and not the facts.
"And that puts the player in a poor light that can easily tarnish their reputation."
Gallen was issued with a breach notice last Monday after he called St George Illawarra forward Mickey Paea a "black ...." in the Saturday night game against the Sharks.
The pair embraced at the end of the game and Gallen apologised.
Paea did not want to make a complaint to the referees.
But the NRL acted swiftly, imposing the $10,000 fine, with chief executive David Gallop saying racism had no place in the game.
Moreton agreed, but said players' rights must be protected under all circumstances.
"So that's why I want a review of the process to ensure our players are dealt with respect and fairness," he said.
Gallop said the breach notice system had been in place for 10 years and gave players - and clubs - plenty of recourse.
"It allows the NRL to move quickly where there is evidence of a breach of the rules," Gallop said.
"But it also gives clubs and players opportunity to make submissions."
He said he was happy to meet Moreton next week but did not feel the process needed changing.
"There was clearly sufficient evidence to justify the breach, including the player's apology and Mickey Paea's acceptance of it."
Moreton said he had not spoken to Gallen this week about what happened.
It is believed Gallen was considering appealing against the fine even before the RLPA became involved.
