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I’m in two minds about the media’s involvement in the John Sutton and Luke Burgess incident in Arizona.
I don’t feel like it’s the public’s right to know everything that goes on at clubs. As long as incidents are investigated properly and appropriate action is taken, I have no issue with things being kept quiet.
On the other hand, it is the media’s job to report news and these allegations about the two players at South Sydney are pretty big news.
It shouldn’t take media involvement for the correct action to be taken. We as fans need to be able to trust that the NRL and the clubs we support are going to investigate incidents fully and take the appropriate action. The likelihood of the incident becoming public knowledge should not be taken into consideration as it appears to have with this incident.
While Souths have taken action by removing the captaincy from Sutton, the fact that the investigation has been re-opened seems an admission that the incident was not fully investigated when it occurred.
Serious questions need to be asked of the Integrity Unit, Shane Richardson and Souths. If the media can uncover this information through a little digging, you would assume that people who are paid to investigate matters should have uncovered the same information.
If it turns out Souths have withheld information then serious action needs to be taken against the club. This is not just withholding information from the media, this is obstructing a formal investigation by the league.
This issue highlights the need for an independent Integrity Unit. I will be extremely disappointed if it is found to be a cover up by the NRL.
Follow Hayley on Twitter @hayles_maher_
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