Players disrespecting lockdown measures have jeopardised NRL return, says NSW Premier

Correspondent 29 Apr 2020 11:54 AM

The NRL is at risk of not going ahead because four players flouted the country’s social distancing rules, according to NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian.

Melbourne winger Josh Addo-Carr, South Sydney full-back Latrell Mitchell have been fined $50,000 by the NRL, while Newcastle utility Roberts-Davis and Penrith half-back Nathan Cleary have been given $10,000 fines.

NSW Premier Berejiklian says such actions have could “jeopardise” the season from its planned re-launch on May 28.

Berejiklian said: “We always base any decision on health advice and on the ability of an organisation to stick to that health advice so I think it does jeopardise, what’s happened, because the season hasn’t even started.

“Ordinarily people might turn a blind eye here and there but not when it’s life and death. We are in a pandemic. It’s life and death. To compromise someone else’s safety, that’s inexcusable.

“The word disappointing doesn’t really cut it, does it?

“Everybody’s trying so hard to stick to the rules, everybody’s trying so hard to do the right thing and then to have people behave in that way is beyond belief.

“There are a number of question marks and the organisation doesn’t do itself any service by having players acting that way.”

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