The NRL says Shane Flanagan has not met a set of conditions sufficiently to have his suspension lifted over the Sharks supplement scandal.
NRL CEO Dave Smith said the suspended Sharks coach had made “significant progress” but would be required to undertake further work to return early from a 12-month ban.
The 48-year-old was sanctioned after the NRL deemed he and former strength and conditioning coach Trent Elkin failed in their duty of care to players during the 2011 season – specifically in relation to their supplements program.
Flanagan fronted a panel that included Smith, the NRL’s head of football Todd Greenberg and integrity unit lawyer Nick Weeks this week to argue his case for reinstatement.
Flanagan was given the chance to have the penalty cut by three months if he met a series of conditions – which included completing an intensive education and training course that focused on his responsibilities as a coach.
He was widely expected to be successful in his bid. However, Smith said Flanagan still had some work to do.
“We are impressed by Mr Flanagan’s attitude and commitment to satisfying the conditions imposed on him during his suspension,” Smith said.
“But there are still some areas which need further work and, at this stage, his suspension has not been lifted.”
Full Statement:
The NRL said that Sharks Head Coach Shane Flanagan would be required to undertake further work to satisfy the conditions required to have his suspension lifted.
CEO Dave Smith said Mr Flanagan had made significant progress in addressing the concerns which led to his registration as a coach being suspended on 17 December last year.
“We are impressed by Mr Flanagan’s attitude and commitment to satisfying the conditions imposed on him during his suspension,” Mr Smith said.
“But there are still some areas which need further work and, at this stage, his suspension has not been lifted.”
The decision was made after Mr Flanagan went before an NRL panel this week to demonstrate his compliance with his suspension conditions.
Those conditions require Mr Flanagan to:
• Complete intensive education and training courses on workplace health and safety, the NRL rules and other integrity and ethical training
• Demonstrate that he understands the duties of obligations of an NRL head coach
• Refrain from dealing directly or indirectly with the Sharks club, team and players
Mr Smith said that while the NRL was pleased with Mr Flanagan’s progress it was determined to lift his suspension only when it was satisfied that all the conditions had been met fully.
Although Mr Flanagan’s suspension is for an indefinite period, the earliest he could have returned to coaching was September 17, 2014 if all the conditions were met.
The panel will reconvene when Mr Flanagan has completed the additional work identified during this week’s review.
With AAP
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