RLPA chief executive Clint Newton has slammed the NRL’s “intimidating and bullying” tactics in the wake of a player-led media blackout.
On Wednesday, the union sensationally called a player boycott on all pre-game, post-game and halftime interviews during NRL matches and next week’s State of Origin Game III.
Speaking on Channel 9’s Sunday Footy Show, legendary prop Paul Gallen questioned whether players would end the media shut-out if the NRL handed out hefty fines for not fulfilling their contractual obligations.
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Newton then revealed the NRL had already suggested players could be fined in the boycott continues.
“I look forward to seeing it, because if that’s the approach that people are going to take that is just another intimidating and bullying factor,” Newton said.
“That’s up for the NRL, we can only control what we can control. If there’s going to be threats about fining players and sacking players, which has already begun.
“It’s just another attempt to bully and intimidate players when the reality is, just get to the table, work through it… then we can all move on.”
Newton was also asked if all players were on board with the hard stance taken in an attempt finally settle on the RLPA’s demands in negotiating the next bargaining agreement.
“When this decision was made on Tuesday night, we had over 50 players on the committee across every club,” Newton said.
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“So we can’t make a decision and we can’t go forward without the consent of the players.
“We don’t run a dictator organisation, you’ve been a part of our association for a number of years… that’s not how we run.
“So it is the role of the leaders to go forward when different movements have taken place, the leaders have made the decisions and the players get in behind.
“That’s not different to any other organisation, so yeah it is a challenging time but the players are united.
“Their will be attempts to divide the players, as there already has been…
One of the major sticking points surrounding the negotiations is who has a say in where the funds allocated to injured and retired players are spent.
The RLPA also wants a vote whether the NRL takes games to Las Vegas or any future rule changes.
Newton made it clear that the remaining points left to be negotiated do not come down to money going in to the pockets of players and slammed the idea they were “greedy”.
“Couldn’t be further from the truth, the players haven’t asked for more money since December last year,” Newton said.
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“That is off the table, that is not an issue but it’s clear there’s an agenda being driven to divide the players from their fans.
“It is clear this is a tried and tested model, every time there is some sort of dispute people talk about greedy players.
“It is not about more money, we can say it until we are blue in the face.”
Meanwhile, speaking on NRL360 on Wednesday night, NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said “we cannot say yes to everything”.
“We won’t be bullied or we won’t be threatened,” Abdo said.
“We cannot say yes to everything, so the commission will now carefully consider what has been placed in front of us, absorb that and make a call on what happens next.
“This is an incredibly positive deal and outcome for the players and one that has been carefully considered and thought through.”
