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.
“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.
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.”
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
And the clubs can legally ask for private information? I don't like where this is going.
Jay C
Roar Guru
300% of nothing is still nothing
Jay C
Roar Guru
They can force the clubs to hand over information. But in terms of players personal phones and records there is no way in the world. Think about the legal implications. Particularly in cases where the law is involved. Everything is on phones nowadays. Are we that desperate to live in a puritanical society that we need to give up every ounce of freedom? I'm not. There is no way known I would hand over my phone or any other personal communication device to an employer.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
I don't think you can legally force anyone to break the law...
Wilson Flatley
Guest
Break-away competition! 1996 here we come.
Benedict Arnold
Guest
Totally agree. But interestingly, the NRL grants clubs plenty of money. So they can play the whole "either comply or you won't receive the charity". I don't know the legalities of what they are trying to do but Paul Kent made that point last night on NRL 360.
Jay C
Roar Guru
This phone taking business was never going to happen. Imagine if your work said to you. We think you have sent a naughty picture to your girlfriend so we are going to confiscate your phone, might as well make it your computer as well because people pretty much live on their phones nowadays. All the emails you have ever sent. Any private phone calls you might have made will now be essentially public information. It looks like you called the VD clinic back in June, what was that in relation to? Who do these guys think they are? Is this real life or are we living inside 1984? Seriously, on his worst day Orwell could never have dreamed the kind of stuff that is going on in this country. The concept is ridiculous and would have lasted about 2 seconds in court.
The Barry
Roar Guru
To aid their "investigations" the integrity unit has been given an even bigger rug and a new and improved state of the art broom. "It's estimated that these new investigative tools will increase the integrity units effectiveness by up to 300%" said an NRL spokesman. "They will take pride of place at headquarters right alongside the limp lettuce leaf we use to hand out punishments."