BIG BROTHER

NRL grants integrity unit unprecedented investigative powers

PLAYERS and officials’ smart phones and computers may be confiscated as part of the NRL integrity unit’s new beefed-up powers.

On the same day South Sydney were slapped with a $20,000 fine over their handling of Luke Burgess and John Sutton’s boozy night in Arizona, the NRL signed off on a list of Big Brother-like rules. The unit’s new and revised powers, which will be sent to all 16 NRL clubs this week, include:

Confiscating computer data or smartphones for the purpose of an investigation.

Providing the integrity unit “full and free access’’ to a club premises and “any other place where records are kept’’.

Cracking down on social media breaches, including prohibiting “the display or transmission of any message that vilifies, intimidates or harasses a person’’, as well as prohibiting “the display or dissemination of sexually explicit or obscene images’’.

Requiring clubs to stump up any email or written communication in connection with a player or an official’s conduct.

One high-ranking official at a prominent NRL club was stunned last night when informed about the integrity unit’s strengthened powers, especially the rule that dealt with the hand-over of computers or phones.

“It’s basically a breach of the privacy act,’’ the chief executive said.

However, the Bulletin understands if clubs refuse to co-operate the NRL would consider it a rules breach.

They then risk a maximum $1 million fine in the most serious of cases.

NRL chief operating officer Suzanne Young fronted a huge press pack yesterday as she explained why Souths had been hit with the $20,000 fine.

Young said the penalty was imposed because the club had failed to inform the NRL integrity unit about a payment made to bouncer Patrick Scruggs, the man allegedly assaulted by Burgess at the end of a wild night in Arizona.

Young said then-CEO Shane Richardson, who started his new role at NRL HQ yesterday, was unaware any payment had been made.

The NRL was forced to reopen the case after media published the official Flagstaff police report, which was available for $8 online, then the stunning revelation the bouncer had reached “satisfaction’’, or a financial settlement, reported to be just under $10,000, which led to charges against Burgess and Sutton being dropped.

“It’s fair to say the integrity unit has learned lessons out of this incident as well, and will be improving its processes,’’ Young said.

Souths said they would take the next five days to decide how they respond to the breach notice, both on the merit of the findings and the severity of the fine.