NRL wants access to players phone and bank accounts
The NRL is ready to respond to the growing threat of match-fixing by pushing to beef up its powers to gain access to phone and financial records as part of negotiations with the players union over a new collective bargaining agreement.
The Australian understands NRL officials are keen to strengthen their ability to investigate allegations and plan to speak to the Rugby League Players Association about widening their powers when talks begin over the CBA later this month.
Plans to address the issue come as the code finds itself in the grip of a crisis centring around two games involving Manly last season. It has been alleged that up to six players were paid $50,000 apiece to affect the outcome of the games, prompting the NSW organised crime squad to take a closer look as they determine the veracity of the claims. The NRL is understandably concerned.
One of the outcomes of this process will be an examination of our rules with regards to sports betting, and our ability to track it, monitor it and enforce our rules, an NRL spokesman said.
That will form part of discussions with the RLPA over time.
The issue threatens to become the first bone of contention between the NRL and the players. While the RLPA is open to the idea of limiting mobile phone use in dressing rooms and stepping up security around the players, it is understood they are reluctant to give the NRL sweeping powers to access private information.
Any proposals to broaden the powers of governing bodies in sport should take into consideration the fundamental rights of athletes, RLPA chief executive Ian Prendergast said.
Further controls around the conduct of players and officials should also be balanced with investing further in them as people based on the expectations of them in their roles to ensure they are empowered and supported to make ethical decisions.
Clearly this is an extremely complex area, but we are determined to use the experiences of players and administrators across international sport to ensure we work with the NRL to deliver best practice protection for our members and the game.
The players association will do all it can to assist in this fight.
Prendergast also revealed he had spoken to the NRL about threats to hand out life bans to those found guilty of match-fixing. The RLPAs concern is that the threat of a life ban would preclude players coming forward with information which would help the NRL weed out fixers.
Match-fixing is a serious criminal activity that involves international organised criminal networks, Prendergast said.
It is sad and disappointing that these groups see sport as a target to make money but it is a reality and we must now deal with it. Corruption is a risk to all sport, not just rugby league.
We must continue to evolve the education and empowerment delivered to those at the heart of the game, particularly players, and work with government and law enforcement agencies to do all we can to protect our sport.
We must have the support of the police and various government agencies that are best placed to deal with international criminal networks. Players are the best resource in the fight against corruption. History in other international sports has shown how important it is for players to not feel alienated. Players and officials must absolutely be accountable for their actions. But we have flagged with the NRL our concerns about proposed blanket life bans if it means we miss out on crucial information about potentially illegal activities.
Penalties must take into account the need for people to come forward and tell us whats going on. Education and empowerment of players is critical so they understand the risks, how to avoid them and where to get the right support and advice.
The investigation comes at a pivotal time in Manlys season, with the club battling to maintain pace with the top eight and struggling under a mounting injury told. The club yesterday confirmed a slew of injuries in the lead-up to Sundays game against Penrith at Brookvale Oval, continuing a wretched run for a club which has been dragged though the mud in recent days off the field.
Halfback Daly Cherry-Evans is expected to miss four weeks with an ankle problem while Steve Matais future is in doubt after the club reported he was out indefinitely with a neck problem.
Matai has been troubled by neck issues in the past but sources told The Australian he was intent on continuing his career. However, he is facing further surgery if he is to do so. Adding insult to injury, the club was yesterday forced to abandon its training base after the facility was flooded in the Sydney storms.
