So why does it happen in rugby league?

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So why does it happen in rugby league?

Post by Beaussie »

Gee whiz, hard to disagree with Fitzy here.

NRL :hmm:

Thoughts?
Why de Belin shouldn’t be allowed to play while justice takes its course
By Peter FitzSimons
February 13, 2019

Say the St George Illawarra Jack de Belin was on tour with the Kangaroos. Say he was arrested, and charged, with aggravated sexual assault as part of what was alleged to be a gang-rape.

Here is the question: would he stay on tour, continue to wear the green and gold, and play in forthcoming matches? Or would he be immediately stood down from the team, and sent home at the first legal opportunity?

Image
Serious accusations: Jack de Belin is charged with aggravated sexual assault in company.CREDIT:ADAM MCLEAN

I know the answer and so do you.

Of course, in that situation, he would be stood down, and sent home. Why?

Simply because if he was arrested on tour, and charged, and was the feature name in endless lurid headlines, the view would be taken – without pre-judging his guilt or innocence – that he was no longer fit to wear the mighty Kangaroo jersey. The Kangaroos management wouldn’t have to be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that he did the crime, only have to establish to their own satisfaction that he had brought the game and their team into disrepute – and they would leave it to the law itself to judge his guilt or innocence of the crime.

So why will de Belin be playing for the Dragons for the first five rounds? Why is a different standard applied to a club team, than for the national team? With the possible exception of the Rabbitohs green and red, there is no prouder jersey in the league than the Dragons’ red V. And yet not only does the club want a man charged with the most appalling things to wear its jersey, but they apparently have the backing of the NRL which so recently has been proclaiming its hard line against any footballer who is even alleged to acts violently towards a woman. Ben Barba was simply accused of it and, with no police charges, was banned for all time within two days.

And yes, of course, it is for the law to judge the de Belin’s guilt or innocence of the criminal charges he is facing, and he is indeed innocent until proved guilty of that charge, but we’ll get to that.

To recap, a fortnight before Christmas last year it is alleged that de Belin left his pregnant wife at home and met a young woman at a Wollongong nightclub where they danced as part of a large group before – in the company of de Belin’s 21 year old friend Callan Sinclair – getting a taxi to the apartment of de Belin’s cousin.

Here, the allegation is that the 106 kilogram footballer forced himself on the woman half his size, and according to the police fact sheet “moved himself between her legs, lent down and put his right hand around her throat and [his] right forearm pinned the upper left side off her body.”

The allegation is that he then raped her, while Sinclair watched, before – by her account to the police – the latter removed his clothes and accepted de Belin’s invitation to “come have a go”.

At which point, they allegedly jointly raped her, until Sinclair had had enough and de Belin continued, as the Herald reported “at times putting his hand around her throat, making it hard for her to breathe.

I know. It is quite shocking to read and not the usual thing you find in a sports column. But I include the detail to make the point – these allegations are on the very grave end of the scale.

And yet somehow, the Dragons are insistent that a man facing charges of that gravity should wear their jersey?

On the issue of a man being innocent until proven guilty of criminal charges, I entirely agree. And none of this is to pre-judge de Belin in any way whatsoever. He may be guilty or innocent and it will be entirely a matter for the law to judge.

But again, I note, when it comes to participating in a football game, there is a difference in standards to be applied. The standard required to find a man guilty of a crime that will put him in prison is “beyond reasonable doubt,” and rightly so.

Image
Standards: Should de Belin wear the Red V while charged with a serious crime?CREDIT:AAP

But whether or not you have “brought the game into disrepute,” is practically ipso facto with the ugly headlines you have created.

In what other field in the public domain, would someone facing those charges turn up for work and take their place with the blessing of their employer?

In politics? Media? Anywhere in the world of entertainment? Any of the financial industry, where your job was dealing with the public and everyone knew the gravity of charges against your name?

No. In all of those cases, and most other cases, you would either stand down voluntarily, or be stood down, and given the chance to clear your name, to fight the charges. But in none of them would it be business as usual.

So why does it happen in rugby league? I have no clue.

The Dragons are making a terrible error of judgement here, as is the NRL by allowing it. They cannot be serious about leaving behind the litany of appalling behaviour towards women, by allowing this.

In my view they need to move to the position whereby they establish a principle: "if you are charged by the police with a serious crime, you will be stood down from playing, until such times as the legal process is completed. This is not to prejudge guilt or innocence, it is simply to observe the norm, and it is automatic."

And before you send your angry emails about the need to not interfere in any way with the workings of the law, tell me how Ben Barba fits into that? Did you protest at his dismissal from the Cowboys, and banning for life from the NRL, on much lesser charges, even though police lay no charges?

I repeat: Barba was accused of something that attracted no police charges but will never play again.

De Belin is accused of aggravated sexual assault, has been charged by police, and before the courts – but will play for at least the first five rounds.

What is wrong with this picture?

The NRL. It has not thought its way through this.

Twitter: @Peter_Fitz

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/why-de ... 50xlb.html
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Re: So why does it happen in rugby league?

Post by AFLcrap1 »

Because ..Brett Stewart .
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Re: So why does it happen in rugby league?

Post by AFLcrap1 »

Hanky head ..now there's a non judgemental journo when it comes to RL ..

This article explains why.
It's happened in the past ...assuming guilt before a persons day in court.

Wait for the court case.
If guilty
Lock him up forever .
No probs ..pay as much compensation as deemed necessary .


NRL in no-win situation over court cases
Brad Walter
NRL.com Senior Reporter
Wed 13 Feb 2019, 05:28 PM

In 2015, NSW premier Mike Baird was so outraged by domestic violence allegations against Shaun Kenny-Dowall that he phoned NRL CEO Dave Smith and urged him to "show some leadership" by standing down the Sydney Roosters winger mid-season.

Weeks before the start of the 2016 season, and seven months after Baird had demanded Smith take immediate action, Kenny-Dowall was found not guilty of 11 charges following a three-day trial in Downing Centre Local Court.

The withdrawal of false domestic violence allegations against Hazem El Masri a few weeks later sparked another attack on the NRL for suspending the Canterbury great from ambassador roles with the game and club until he was exonerated.

"Instead of waiting for the law to decide, the NRL’s actions branded Hazem guilty in the court of public opinion," El Masri’s former wife, Arwa Abousamra, said.

Kenny-Dowall and El Masri are examples of the no-win situation the NRL faces when players are charged with serious offences, such as those faced by St George Illawarra forward Jack de Belin and former Parramatta star Jarryd Hayne.

The sexual assault allegations detailed against de Belin in Wollongong Court on Tuesday and Hayne in Newcastle Court on Wednesday are abhorrent and damaging to the game’s image, but both have pleaded not guilty.

Hayne does not have a contract for this season so the NRL does not have to consider action against him but de Belin will not be stood down until he gets the opportunity to plead his case in court.

If de Belin was banned from playing and later found not guilty, the NSW forward may be able to argue he was denied the opportunity to earn $90,000 in this year’s State of Origin series and had also suffered reputational damage.

It may not be a popular decision but most in the game can still remember the fall-out from the four-match suspension imposed on Manly fullback Brett Stewart at the start of the 2009 season after he was charged with sexual assault – only for a court to acquit him 18 months later.

While the ban was officially for breaching the NRL code of conduct at a boozy Manly season launch, no other player was suspended and the decision caused a lingering ill will that spilled over when Stewart and his brother Glenn confronted NRL CEO David Gallop on stage after the Sea Eagles won the 2011 grand final.

The NRL does not have the capacity to investigate criminal matters and prefers to wait until they have been dealt with by the judicial system, which has prosecutors, judges, juries and other resources to help determine guilt.

This isn’t done by the police either, and their role is to decide whether there is sufficient evidence for a case to be forwarded to a court to consider.

In instances where a player admits guilt, such as the drink-driving charge against Greg Inglis last October, the NRL is able to take immediate action and he was denied the honour of captaining Australia after being banned from the two Tests against New Zealand and Tonga, as well as incurring a $20,000 fine.

Canberra star Jack Wighton had been allowed to play last season after indicating he would plead not guilty to assault charges but he later changed his plea in court and the NRL handed him a season-ending 10-match ban and $30,000 fine.

It remains a possibility that Ben Barba will be charged by police over domestic violence allegations at a Townsville casino on Australian Day but the NRL and North Queensland were able to effectively put an end to his career after viewing video footage of the incident.

If an incident is on video, it is easier for the NRL to act and CCTV footage also enabled the NRL to slap a $25,000 fine on Canterbury forward Adam Elliott over his Mad Monday antics after being photographed dancing naked at a Sydney hotel.

The NRL won’t take action against de Belin now but if he is found guilty the 27-year-old can expect heavy sanctions and like Barba his time in the game is likely to be over.

The views in this article do not necessarily express the opinions of the NRL, ARLC, NRL clubs or state associations.

https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/02/13/nrl ... urt-cases/
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Re: So why does it happen in rugby league?

Post by leeroy*NRL* »

i Agree, to many have been charged and found non guilty...

So is fitzy saying, you stand the guy down, throw away his career,
until a trial is done and over...

it is innocent until proven guilty...

the bad publicity it causes yes it is bad,
but if the guy is innocent you cannot just throw him to the gutter..

If he is Guilty which i hope he is not.. than yes, this deserves Max Punishment..
prob resulting in end of career.

but hey

Haters gonna Hate..

Fitzy gonna always hate
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Re: So why does it happen in rugby league?

Post by PerfectToATee »

leeroy*NRL* wrote: Thu Feb 14, 2019 9:56 am
i Agree, to many have been charged and found non guilty...

So is fitzy saying, you stand the guy down, throw away his career,
until a trial is done and over...

it is innocent until proven guilty...

the bad publicity it causes yes it is bad,
but if the guy is innocent you cannot just throw him to the gutter..

If he is Guilty which i hope he is not.. than yes, this deserves Max Punishment..
prob resulting in end of career.

but hey

Haters gonna Hate..

Fitzy gonna always hate

I agree with the abovementioned. Our legal system does work on an innocent until proven guilty basis. He should be able to play until he’s had his day in court or unless there is overwhelming evidence to support the allegations.

I do, however, believe that if he is found guilty, the NRL needs to rub him out for life. They are serious allegations and this is also shown by the fact the magistrate found it necessary to impose strict bail conditions.

As much as I dislike League, I’m also aware Fitzy can talk shit...

If Hayne and/or de Belin are guilty, god help the NRL.
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Re: So why does it happen in rugby league?

Post by AFLcrap1 »

If he's guilty he should be locked up for a long time...way past his RL playing days .
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Re: So why does it happen in rugby league?

Post by Terry »

This case is a difficult one. The tendered facts at court are horrendous. The damage this is doing to the game is incalculable. Every time he plays RL will be the loser. TV ratings, fans and sponsors will all be dropping off.

I believe the NRL should find out what his defence is going to be at court. If it is that the girl fabricated the whole thing and nothing happened then he should be allowed to keep playing and let the law takes it's course.

If it is going to be that everything done was consensual, as I suspect, it's a whole different ball game. The blokes married with a pregnant wife. He got on the grog and had 'relations' with a young girl then encouraged his mate to join in. Behaviour like that brings the game into disrepute and does enormous damage at every level.

That would arguably be enough to stand him down on full pay until the court case is over. If he is found guilty he's gone for life. If not, decide on what further punishment, if any, he should get.
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Re: So why does it happen in rugby league?

Post by leeroy*NRL* »

yeh i agree, its a touchy subject,

just cannot face the fact if he is innocent, and being treated like this.
by Media and "IF" he was stood down.

but this media frenzy is gonna be ridiculous.
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Re: So why does it happen in rugby league?

Post by SportCapital »

Add to that 4 years of hell.

https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/the-6 ... c8c7ba01b5

Patric Smith phrased it best. Imo
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Re: So why does it happen in rugby league?

Post by leeroy*NRL* »

SportCapital wrote: Thu Feb 14, 2019 10:58 pm
Add to that 4 years of hell.

https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/the-6 ... c8c7ba01b5

Patric Smith phrased it best. Imo
woah :shock: :shock:

(no comment)
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Re: So why does it happen in rugby league?

Post by leeroy*NRL* »

I am starting to think

NRL and St George Should bench De Belin. for the first 6 rounds..

I think it would do his mental health good and the brand.

Sydney Media is relentless on this stuff...
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Re: So why does it happen in rugby league?

Post by NlolRL »

SportCapital wrote: Thu Feb 14, 2019 10:58 pm
Add to that 4 years of hell.

https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/the-6 ... c8c7ba01b5

Patric Smith phrased it best. Imo
unbelievable! What a rotten culture :puke:
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Re: So why does it happen in rugby league?

Post by SportCapital »

NlolRL wrote: Fri Feb 15, 2019 12:37 pm
SportCapital wrote: Thu Feb 14, 2019 10:58 pm
Add to that 4 years of hell.

https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/the-6 ... c8c7ba01b5

Patric Smith phrased it best. Imo
unbelievable! What a rotten culture :puke:
Not in Melbourne.
Not a single incident by anyone while representing the Mighty Melbourne Storm.
Class and professionalism with a winning culture.
The Melbourne way!
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Re: So why does it happen in rugby league?

Post by NRL&NFLweLaughATafl »

Craig Bellamys no dickhead policy seems to be working a lot better than other clubs.
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