The Rugby League Players’ Association (RLPA) acknowledges the player sanctions handed down by the NRL today.
“Whilst we recognise the serious and completely unacceptable nature of Tyrone May’s conduct, we also note that he has been sanctioned to an unprecedented level,” RLPA Chief Executive Ian Prendergast said.
“May has now been subjected to a 28 NRL game suspension and a fine at the highest end of what can be enforced by Clubs under the NRL contract.
“In our view the use of the no-fault stand down rule has significantly compounded this sanction – which is in no way fair, nor does it provide consistency for our members.
“We have reached out to both Tyrone and his legal representatives to discuss their response to this decision.”
The RLPA welcomed the response to the matter involving Josh Reynolds and respect the decision to gather further information relating to both Curtis Scott and Maika Sivo.
“This again highlights the challenges of how the NRL’s no fault stand down policy operates in practice,” Mr Prendergast said.
“The sanctions handed down today further emphasise the need for an agreed independent process to deal with integrity matters, ensuring that the parties involved are treated fairly and in a consistent manner.”
The dispute relating to the introduction of the ‘no fault’ stand down policy issued by the RLPA to the NRL under the Collective Bargaining Agreement is ongoing.
