Federal Youth and Sport Minister Richard Colbeck says NRL players breaking social distancing laws are putting the league’s return at risk.
NRL players guilty of breaking social distancing laws are putting the league’s return to action at risk, the federal sport minister says.
The league’s bold bid to resume its competition copped a major body blow this week when three of its stars were fined for flouting social distance measures.
Latrell Mitchell, Josh Addo-Carr ($50,000 each) and Nathan Cleary ($10,000) were also slapped with suspended fines by the NRL for bringing the game into disrepute.
The incidents gave critics ammunition to question the league’s ability to follow strict protocol measures required to re-launch its season.
“It’s a matter that depends on the performance and the activities of the (NRL) players,” Federal Youth and Sport Minister Richard Colbeck told ABC News.
“My view would be that the players have put all that at risk by their actions.
“That’s why it is important that the NRL has taken the action it has to send a strong message. It’s not acceptable.”
Both Mitchell and Addo-Carr were also issued with $1000 infringement notices by NSW police for breaching COVID-19 measures last weekend.
A third player, Tyronne-Roberts Davis, was fined from the same incident.
Mitchell and Addo-Carr have also been charged with firearm offences after the latter uploaded videos of him shooting a gun on social media.
“It’s obviously a serious charge. They will be appropriately dealt with by the courts as they should be,” Colbeck said.
“I’ve clearly stated my views that it’s a salutary lesson to everybody involved that complying with the law appropriately.
“But also in the circumstances of COVID-19, is going to be really important.
“Because if people don’t, it will jeopardise the opportunity for us to participate in sport and for the codes to recommence.”
The league took a major step towards its resumption on Tuesday after agreeing to a 20-round restructured season with broadcasters.
The next step will be for the NRL innovations committee to meet on Wednesday and configure the details around the make-up of a new draw.
The final hurdle will be on Friday, when the national cabinet meets to outline the country’s return to elite and community sport.
The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee is in charge of providing recommendations to the federal government regarding health protocols.
Colbeck said the NRL’s issues this week will be a factor.
“All the issues in the public arena will be considered a part of that,” he said.
“The important thing is that people are prepared to comply with the protocols in place and we need a demonstration that will be complied with.
“And so the NRL’s actions in that sense send a strong message to us around their seriousness about it, and clearly send a strong message to the players.”
AJ73
Roar Rookie
Are you sure? They are threatening to boycott because of pay demands one instance and a bunch of others are putting the request in doubt with the state government in another. NZ Warriors aren't even allowed into the country yet either Things don't need to be made public, to be planning. And if you have any knowledge of the AFL, you would know that the case put forward to players was the worst-case scenario. It will be sorted out and they will be back quicker than you think, all on board to some extent. Some players will choose not to join the hubs if that is the way they will go about it.
Nat
Roar Guru
This is a direct reply to Gyfox who regularly come to RL threads for the sole purpose to run it down. This is just the lastest attemp because he hurts knowing RL will be back on the park when the AFL crowd are still debating the 1989 trade season.
Nat
Roar Guru
The plan is and has always been to present their proposal and they do have Govt support based on these permissions. Not one person with any knowledge on the subject has indictaed that the season starts up without these approvals. If tyou have ever been a part of a strategic development plan (or any plan really), the most import thing is to have timelines to work toward. There's an old cliche: the difference between a goal and a dream is a plan. Where does the AFL sit in this scenario? Their No 1 asset, the players, haven't been involved in any planning they've done and they wonder why there is resistence. At least when the NRL presents their proposal, everyone is on board.
AJ73
Roar Rookie
Yet the NRL has no permission from the governments involved. It even has the NSW government telling us that what the players got up to camping could put the NRL at risk of not getting permission.
AJ73
Roar Rookie
More teams and states to worry about than NRL. NRL still don't have permission yet either. I hope the NRL gets up as it means things may be returning to normal, what I can't stand is the constant "war" between fans of the different codes. Really who cares which is better, you follow the code you follow because you like the code, most are because that is the code you grew up with. By continuing to belittle the other codes you are starting to show your insecurity about your chosen code. Get over it and enjoy the sport when it comes back.
IGOR11
Roar Rookie
I agree mate...one reason why Mitchell and Carr didn’t receive that treatment...and we all know what that is...
IGOR11
Roar Rookie
Offensive?....stupid more like it but as the previous writer suggested...they did not break the law and more importantly did not put the entire league in jeopardy...you obviously missed his simple point...
Statler and Waldorf
Roar Guru
That's up to medical experts not league administrators or fans
Eelsalmighty
Roar Rookie
P.S, Josh, are you sure you don't want to phone a friend before you lock in your answer?
Eelsalmighty
Roar Rookie
No, but I don't expect 100% adherence to anything. When we lift all social distancing measures we won't be 100% covid free either. A vaccine won't be 100% etc. How long do you want to wait?
Statler and Waldorf
Roar Guru
And do you seriously believe that they will all (100% of them) isolate for 14 days? I think we have just seen the answer to that. I want the NRL to start soon as much as anyone but training next week is ludicrous
Eelsalmighty
Roar Rookie
Yes, I also noted that. So perhaps we should gently ease into the IQ test. Q1, of the multiple choice. When breaking numerous laws and/or breaching conditions of your employment contract you should: A. Collect as much as evidence as possible B. Post all evidence on social media as soon as practicable C. Apologise, but make it clear it's not your fault because you've done nothing wrong. D. All of the above
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
I had wondered if anyone lives downwind of there, to be startled by bullets flicking through their kitchen windows, knocking off their budgerigar in his cage, killing their children as they sat there enjoying their vegemite toast and such.
Big Daddy
Guest
Just reading Paul Kent's spray and while not a fan of his I must admit I agree with him. While Abdo has only been in the job a few days the public and media backlash should be a warning the public won't tolerate it and the suspension should have been heavier. Their upcoming meeting with government and health officials could all go down the drain because of inaction.
Jeremy
Guest
Yes, what Okunbor and CHN did was terrible and involved a massive breach of trust, so if the appropriate penalty is deregistration then fair enough. But at the same time they broke no laws. Addo-Car and Mitchell broke social distancing law and firearms law, the latter being particularly serious, and they merely get slapped with a relatively minor fine. Surely if such a severe penalty is due Okunbor and CHN for the breach of trust, then an equally severe penalty would be due Addo-Car and Mitchell for the breach of laws, or do the latter pair get favourable treatment solely because of their status within the game?
Eelsalmighty
Roar Rookie
Or, if you've self isolated for at least 14 days and have no symptoms and you come into direct contact with someone else that has self isolated for at least 14 days and has no symptoms, then there's nothing to transmit. Yes, it still breaches "social distancing" regulations, but at zero/virtually zero risk. The social distancing regulations are in place because we (as a community) don't know who might have it so they reduce the risk of transmission. "Breaking the law early", as you put it, means the "risk" is real, whereas if they had of abided by the self isolation protecals it would be safe, albeit safe by an alternate method (to standard social distancing).
Statler and Waldorf
Roar Guru
Given that if training starts 5 May the players and staff will all be breaking social distancing laws why are supporters of the NRL starting up so upset about a few guys breaking the laws early? Surely If you support the early start up, you are supporting the breaking of the laws?
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Weidler thrives on sensationalistic journalism. I haven't purchased the Sun Herald for some time. I used to skim over his column because it regularly acted as a means for defending NRL miscreants he sided with. Don't miss reading his BS.
Big Daddy
Guest
Nick, yeah just watched that myself and young Cleary seems fairly apologetic but unfortunately he put himself in an awkward situation, anybody that has a camera thinks your fair game so he'll learn by his mistake. The interesting thing from that interview was Weidlers comment about him saying that people are NRL detractors. Fact is I would say 99% of people want the rugby league but it's very obvious some people want a May 28 start and some don't. None of us are detractors it's we just have differing opinions.
Nick Symonds
Guest
"It’s unclear whether Cleary’s sanction from the NRL will change, however Channel Nine's Danny Weidler revealed the star playmaker will not be fined by Nepean Police for breaching social distancing rules as he is the occupier of the house. The girls who visited Cleary will face fines." - https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/what-happened-to-the-uber-clearys-flimsy-excuse-exposed-after-tiktok-video-emerges/news-story/f7f864d9cdd30aef6ebd51a2fc92550f