NRL gets tough on concussion protocol with record fines

SYDNEY: Three National Rugby League (NRL) clubs were hit with record fines totalling A$ 350,000 ( US$ 270,340) on Monday for breaching the league’s concussion protocols in matches over the weekend.

The Gold Coast Titans were fined A$ 150,000 for incidents involving three players, while the St George Illawarra Dragons and Newcastle Knights received fines of A$ 100,000 for single cases.

“These are, by far, the heaviest fines ever proposed by the game for concussion breaches. That is how seriously we take it ... our message is clear ... we are not going to allow player safety to be put at risk through breaches of the concussion rules,” said NRL chief Todd Greenberg.

The clubs have five days to appeal the fines.

Reflecting concern around the sporting world about the impact of repeated concussions on athletes, the NRL changed its rules in 2015 to oblige players to undergo a formal head injury assessment if they were suspected of having a concussion.

Newcastle, who are being sued by former player James McManus over the way they handled the head knocks he received in his four years at the club, were fined for their treatment, or lack thereof, of Brendan Elliot.

Elliot lay on the ground several minutes after receiving a blow to the head against the South Sydney Rabbitohs at the weekend. The fullback did not undergo a head assessment and played on, only to be withdrawn in the second half when he went down again.

“In the majority of cases we see strong compliance with the League’s concussion rules but it appears that this did not happen at the weekend in some matches and we cannot stand by and allow player safety to be put at risk,” Greenberg added. — Reuters