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http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/sport/nrl/story/0,26746,25162496-5003409,00.html
NRL's warning: Brett Stewart saga will cost Manly
By Andrew Webster | March 09, 2009 11:00pm
MANLY'S public shame over the Brett Stewart scandal is set to translate into a six-figure fine from the NRL.
With the premiers reeling over sexual assault allegations levelled at their star fullback by a 17-year-old girl, it has emerged they could be heavily slugged for the boozy season launch earlier in the day of the alleged incident.
NRL chief executive David Gallop expects a report from Manly boss Grant Mayer today and the league has already launched its own investigation.
Those inquiries have so far revealed that Manly co-owner Max Delmege slapped his credit card on the bar at the Wharf Hotel when the official part of the function had ended.
Bar staff refused to accept the card and serve more drinks to their party, citing the Responsible Service of Alcohol guidelines. Later in the evening, Anthony Watmough allegedly assaulted a club sponsor while tewart is said to have been refused service at a number of Manly establishments before the alleged incident with the teenage girl outside a North Manly apartment block. He has not been charged.
"There are some serious questions being thrown up about how alcohol was managed at that function," Gallop said.
"It's part of our system that clubs can be held liable in circumstances where they have not put measures in place to ensure alcohol-fuelled incidents don't damage the image of the game. We are not going to tolerate bad behaviour at team functions - at a public function - where there has been irresponsible drinking."
How much the Sea Eagles will be fined remains unclear, but there are provisions under the NRL's code of conduct to issue sanctions of up to $1 million.
The Bulldogs were fined $500,000 for bringing the game into disrepute after a Coffs Harbour woman alleged she was raped by six players in 2004.
The following year, the Knights were slugged $100,000 with the same amount suspended after several of their players went on a dorm-room romp after a pre-season game at Bathurst.
Mayer described the behaviour of some players at the function as "unacceptable".
"Of course, you second guess yourself but for the time I've been at the club it has been applauded for our off-field performance and attitude and culture and there was no reason to believe anything like this could happen," he said. "You look back and and perhaps it wasn't a great decision and there's no doubt the drinking that took place on Friday was unacceptable."
Gallop dismissed calls for a blanket alcohol ban across the code, arguing it was unrealistic.
The NRL boss was contacted personally by Premier Nathan Rees, who commended him on the league's alcohol and sex relations awareness program.