TruSaint
Referee
- Messages
- 20,238
The no-fault stand-down rule is here to stay. The NRL has scored a knockout victory over the players union after an independent arbiter ruled the governing body was within its rights to bring in the rule, which dictates players are automatically stood down should they face charges resulting in prison sentences of 11 years or more.
The decision, so comprehensive the NRL were awarded costs, signals the end of Jack de Belin’s hopes of playing again before his trial on sexual assault charges in April. So too Manly hooker Manase Fainu, who has been stood down under the rule since he was charged for allegedly stabbing a man at a Mormon church dance more than a year ago. He is due to face court again in July.
De Belin initially fought the rule in the federal court but the judge ruled in favour of the NRL. The Dragons forward then indicated he would take the matter to the full federal court, before abruptly ending his quest. The last throw of the dice was the Rugby League Players Association as they challenged the process that brought the rule into effect.
The essence of their argument was that they were not sufficiently consulted. That bid has now failed, heralding a major victory for ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys, chief executive Andrew Abdo and commissioner Peter Beattie.
Former Bulldogs player Michael Lichaa has been charged with domestic violence offences after an alleged altercation at his home in Sydney’s south.
Beattie championed the rule coming into effect when he was chair, Abdo vouched for it during the federal court battle and V’landys has backed it since he came into power. All three had plenty to lose had the arbiter ruled against the NRL.
READ MORE:Bulldogs star to be questioned|Aloiai hits back at ‘immature’ Tigers boss|NRL considers relocating Storm
The NRL’s comprehensive victory is therefore a personal win for the trio and further reinforces the governing body’s capacity to run the competition as they see fit.
It has also turned into an expensive decision by the RLPA — it is believed the cost could be north of six figures — although in defence of chief executive Clint Newton, the process was started by his predecessor Ian Prendergast.
It is understood the arbiter handed down his decision on Monday morning, the NRL and RLPA having endured a nervous weekend after they were informed that the documentation had been finalised on Friday afternoon.
The decision comes as the NRL prepares to sit down with the RLPA to discuss further safeguarding the game’s finances and credibility by increasing the sanctions for player misbehaviour.
So concerned has the governing body been with the financial ramifications of poor off-field behaviour, they are intent on ramping up the sanctions to try to persuade players to stay on the straight and narrow.
The Australian revealed last week that the game had lost millions in a potential sponsorship with a major hardware company after it was turned off by player behaviour.
Should the RLPA dig in their heels, Monday’s decision suggests the NRL could press ahead given they have the imprimatur of the federal court and the arbiter.
The NRL declined to comment on the outcome on Monday while the RLPA confirmed their claim had been unsuccessful, but said they were intent on working with the NRL and clubs on a range of matters in coming months.
Meanwhile, the NRL is expected to make a call on Wednesday over their immediate plans for the Melbourne Storm.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews is expected to decide on Wednesday morning whether to extend the state’s lockdown, a decision that will have major ramifications for the Storm.
Melbourne officials remain confident they will be able to stay in Victoria, although that may change if the lockdown is extended.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sp...e/news-story/9b9a7090c978074bf4f653a571e633e2
The decision, so comprehensive the NRL were awarded costs, signals the end of Jack de Belin’s hopes of playing again before his trial on sexual assault charges in April. So too Manly hooker Manase Fainu, who has been stood down under the rule since he was charged for allegedly stabbing a man at a Mormon church dance more than a year ago. He is due to face court again in July.
De Belin initially fought the rule in the federal court but the judge ruled in favour of the NRL. The Dragons forward then indicated he would take the matter to the full federal court, before abruptly ending his quest. The last throw of the dice was the Rugby League Players Association as they challenged the process that brought the rule into effect.
The essence of their argument was that they were not sufficiently consulted. That bid has now failed, heralding a major victory for ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys, chief executive Andrew Abdo and commissioner Peter Beattie.
Former Bulldogs player Michael Lichaa has been charged with domestic violence offences after an alleged altercation at his home in Sydney’s south.
Beattie championed the rule coming into effect when he was chair, Abdo vouched for it during the federal court battle and V’landys has backed it since he came into power. All three had plenty to lose had the arbiter ruled against the NRL.
READ MORE:Bulldogs star to be questioned|Aloiai hits back at ‘immature’ Tigers boss|NRL considers relocating Storm
The NRL’s comprehensive victory is therefore a personal win for the trio and further reinforces the governing body’s capacity to run the competition as they see fit.
It has also turned into an expensive decision by the RLPA — it is believed the cost could be north of six figures — although in defence of chief executive Clint Newton, the process was started by his predecessor Ian Prendergast.
It is understood the arbiter handed down his decision on Monday morning, the NRL and RLPA having endured a nervous weekend after they were informed that the documentation had been finalised on Friday afternoon.
The decision comes as the NRL prepares to sit down with the RLPA to discuss further safeguarding the game’s finances and credibility by increasing the sanctions for player misbehaviour.
So concerned has the governing body been with the financial ramifications of poor off-field behaviour, they are intent on ramping up the sanctions to try to persuade players to stay on the straight and narrow.
The Australian revealed last week that the game had lost millions in a potential sponsorship with a major hardware company after it was turned off by player behaviour.
Should the RLPA dig in their heels, Monday’s decision suggests the NRL could press ahead given they have the imprimatur of the federal court and the arbiter.
The NRL declined to comment on the outcome on Monday while the RLPA confirmed their claim had been unsuccessful, but said they were intent on working with the NRL and clubs on a range of matters in coming months.
Meanwhile, the NRL is expected to make a call on Wednesday over their immediate plans for the Melbourne Storm.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews is expected to decide on Wednesday morning whether to extend the state’s lockdown, a decision that will have major ramifications for the Storm.
Melbourne officials remain confident they will be able to stay in Victoria, although that may change if the lockdown is extended.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sp...e/news-story/9b9a7090c978074bf4f653a571e633e2