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NRL's Integrity Unit granted new powers

Roar Guru
3rd March, 2015
8

The NRL’s besieged Integrity Unit has backed down on proposed measures to seize players’ phones and computers as part of their investigations into misconduct.

The NRL unveiled new investigative powers for its Integrity Unit on Tuesday, including requiring players to hand over phone records on demand and a crackdown on the use of social media.

However players will not be forced to hand over personal data, a move the Rugby League Players’ Association warned risked infringing upon civil rights.

“The revised rules will give the Unit power to require clubs and players to co-operate fully with any investigations,” the NRL said in a statement.

“This will include requiring them to provide documents including phone records (such as a phone bill).

“But it is not proposed to require players to provide their phones as part of investigations.”

RLPA boss David Garnsey said any moves to take players’ phones had never been part of discussions in relation to the NRL Code of Conduct.

“At no time during those discussions were there any terms or provisions mentioned in relation to the seizure of players phones or computers,” Garnsey said.

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“Those provisions we would oppose.”

He says the players have an interest in protecting the integrity of the game as well.

“Phones contain private matter that relate to players, they have certain rights in this situation,” Garnsey said.

“While the RLPA recognise the entitlement of the code to investigate matters of integrity, the players themselves have a great interest in the integrity of the code.

“But that doesn’t give any excuse for what might be termed as trampling on players rights by seeking in a way that you (would) expect to issue a subpoena for the NRL and its Integrity Unit to seize or confiscate players phone or computers.”

The NRL’s moves come after the botched investigation into the Arizona arrest of South Sydney players John Sutton and Luke Burgess.

Souths were hit with a $20,000 fine on Monday, but the players escaped suspension.

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An NRL spokesman said clubs were already required to inform the NRL when they knew a breach of the NRL rules occurred.

But the revised code will require clubs and players to report to the integrity unit (IU) any matter which it “reasonably suspects” may constitute a breach of the NRL rules.

Gold Coast coach Neil Henry has praised the new measures, saying the NRL has the balance about right.

“No-one can condone poor behaviour and the clubs are working hard to make sure we’re honest and up front about what’s happening out there,” Henry said.

“We need to be mindful of protecting our players as well.”

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