The NRL today outlined the new powers that the Integrity Unit will have to help it conduct effective investigations.
The revised rules will give the Unit power to require clubs and players to co-operate fully with any investigations.
This will include requiring them to provide documents including phone records (such as a phone bill).
But it is not proposed to require players to provide their phones as part of investigations.
A spokesman said clubs were already required to inform the NRL when they knew a breach of the NRL Rules occurred.
But the revised Code will require Clubs and persons bound by the Code to report to the Integrity Unit any matter which it “reasonably suspects” may constitute a breach of the NRL Rules.
The Code will also:
- Prohibit the display or transmission of any message that vilifies, intimidates or harasses a person. It also prohibits the display or dissemination of sexually explicit or obscene images.
- Expressly require all Clubs and persons bound by the Rules to co-operate to the fullest extent possible with the IU. This obligation includes the provision of all relevant information requested by the IU.
- Require Clubs to make available records for inspection by the IU.
The spokesman said clubs overwhelmingly co-operated already with the Integrity Unit.
However the new rules will give the Unit more scope to thoroughly investigate issues.
