The NRL said today it has fined the Penrith Panthers $20,000 for a breach of the concussion rules.
Head of Football, Todd Greenberg said the fine related to an incident involving Jamal Idris in a match against the Warriors earlier this month.
He said the Panthers had failed to take Idris from the field for a concussion test after taking a heavy knock in a tackle.
“Players must be taken from the field for a SCAT test if they show any signs of concussion and this did not happen with Jamal,” Mr Greenberg said.
Mr Greenberg said the NRL had suspended $10,000 of the fine. The Panthers will be liable to pay this if there are any further breaches of the concussion rules in the next 12 months.
“Overall, the clubs have supported our requirement for players who take head knocks to be taken from the field to undergo a concussion test,” Mr Greenberg said.
“But we cannot let up and we cannot become complacent because player safety has to remain our priority.”
Mr Greenberg warned that the NRL would continue to take a hard line on any breach of the concussion rules in the remaining weeks of the Finals series.
He said the NRL had sideline technology and operators in place to assist club doctors determine whether players are displaying concussive symptoms during the Finals.
“We expect the rules to be followed vigilantly in every match – no matter how important the game might be,” Mr Greenberg said.
