The Rugby League Players Association (RLPA) has serious concerns with the National Rugby League’s (NRL) decision to amend the Judiciary Code to give the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) absolute discretion and extraordinary powers to charge players for on-field incidents irrespective of the views of the Match Review Committee (MRC).
The following comments are attributed to Clint Newton, the CEO of the RLPA:
“The ARLC’s decision to give itself unfettered power to charge players for on-field matters is an unprecedented overreach of extra judicial power.
“The powers now vested in the ARLC are entirely unnecessary. While the ARLC make decisions that relate to protecting the health and safety of the players, these new powers go far beyond their responsibilities or day to day expertise.
“The existing Match Review Committee (MRC) and its processes give players, clubs and fans confidence that the decisions to charge players are made within a truly independent framework. No judicial system is perfect, and there will always be debate regarding verdicts, but the independent MRC comprises appropriate members with the right combination of expertise and experience.
“We believe the MRC and its independent framework is best placed to review matches and assess whether any conduct by a player may constitute an offence, and if so, at what grading. The ARLC is not a form of independent judicial oversight.”
“To overrule the MRC with discretionary powers undermines the players trust in the existing system of providing fair, equitable and consistent decisions that impact them financially and professionally.”
“Any exercise of the proposed power would have the effect of diluting the appearance of independence and function of the MRC.”
Given the failures in process leading to this decision the RLPA is seriously considering its available options. The matter will be discussed at the next RLPA Board meeting in June.
