NRL mulls tougher stance on accused

THE NRL will consider a hardline proposal to stand down any player accused of serious crimes as debate over Jack de Belin’s eligibility to play continues to flare.

The game is in damage control after an off-season in which player misbehaviour has dominated headlines and sent rugby league spiralling in the standing of fans and sponsors.

In response, the Australian Rugby League Commission has promised to consider a submission put forward by Melbourne Storm chairman Bart Campbell.

A frustrated Campbell fired off an email to league bosses and fellow club chiefs in which he lamented that the game had become “morally tone deaf”.

Campbell said that if de Belin, who this week pleaded not guilty to a rape charge, was signed to the Storm, he would stand him down while the court case was heard.

He said in many other professions an employee in that situation would be stood down.

ARLC chairman Peter Beattie said that Campbell’s submission would be reviewed when the commission met on February 28.

“The ARLC is strongly opposed to anyone in rugby league being involved in violence of any kind, especially domestic violence and any behaviour which brings the game into disrepute,” Beattie said.

The NRL and St George Illawarra had refused to stand down de Belin, saying he was entitled to the presumption of innocence. The Players Association also warned against prejudging any player.

The NRL yesterday met with the chief executives of all 16 clubs in Melbourne, where they considered a range of penalties for errant behaviour.

NRL CEO Todd Greenberg also quizzed the other CEOs on whether de Belin should be forced to stand aside.

Greenberg had already promised harsher penalties for any players found guilty of violent offences.