Dragons confirm players under investigation for COVID breaches
The St George Illawarra Dragons say several of their players are being investigated for breaching stay at home COVID orders.
Key points:
- The NRL’s Integrity Unit and New South Wales Police are investigating
- Police went to a Shellharbour house on Saturday and found four men who didn’t live there
- The Bulldogs were fined $50,000 after five players went to hotels while meant to be in lockdown
The NRL club said it was aware a number of players had broken NSW government rules and the league’s biosecurity rules.
The Dragons said the League’s Integrity Unit and New South Wales Police were investigating, and that it would not make any further comment while these investigations continued.
The Rugby League Players Association also acknowledged the issue involving players.
“The RLPA has been in contact with Dragons officials, players and the NRL regarding the matter.
“While the NRL Integrity Unit and NSW Police investigation is ongoing, the RLPA will not make any further comment regarding this incident.”
On Sunday afternoon, a NSW Police spokesperson said:
“About 9.40pm yesterday (Saturday July 3), officers from Lake Illawarra Police District attended a Shellharbour home, following reports of visitors at the home.
“Police spoke to the residents, a 30-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman.
“Four men, aged 21, 24, 25 and 29, were also spoken to and it was determined they were not residents. They were all given directions to leave and return to their homes.
“Inquiries are continuing into breaches of the Public Health Order.”
Players are currently subject to the NRL’s level four biosecurity protocols which means they must stay at home and can only leave the house if it is to go to training or to the supermarket.
Under the current NSW lockdown, which covers Wollongong and Shellharbour, people must give a sufficient reason to visit someone else’s home.
At the time, NRL boss Andrew Abdo said the league had to send a strong message to clubs over their responsibilities to keep the game running.
As well as the $50,000 fine for the Canterbury club, five Bulldogs players were slapped with almost $10,000 in fines between them.
Abdo said the sanction sent a clear message to every club that they must do everything possible to ensure players understood the protocols, and that players had an obligation to seek more information if they were unsure of the league’s biosecurity advice.
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