Yet again only Australia's game demonstrates leadership and acknowledges problems in order to deal with an issue.
Shame NRL shame. You have so much to learn from the AFL.
AFL dealing with hearings better than NRL: Fahey
Date May 8, 2013
Brad Walter
Chief Rugby League Writer
The NRL has no plans to have a league official sit in on interviews between ASADA investigators and players, as the AFL will do when interviews with its players begin this week.
Lawyers representing ASADA and Cronulla players are still negotiating on the level of co-operation players are required to provide when interviews resume after questioning of Sharks back-rower Wade Graham was cut short last week.
The delay sparked accusations from WADA president John Fahey - a former Canterbury player and official - that the game was not dealing with the ASADA investigation as well as the AFL. Fahey's comment supports the off-the-record view of another drugs enforcement agency official, who said the investigation into doping by NRL players could drag on for years, while the AFL cases were expected to be concluded within months.
''They [the AFL] have acknowledged they have got a problem. They don't know the extent of that problem - none of us do - but they are not sweeping it under the carpet and they are saying, 'Let's deal with it and let's get on with life after that,''' Fahey told Sky News. ''What a breath of fresh air that is compared to what I am seeing as an observer here in Sydney with rugby league. From what I can see, at the attempt for the very first interview there were lawyers there who prevented any answer being given, and so much so, it seems little point for ASADA to continue on.''
NRL chief executive David Smith has asked for a transcript of Graham's interview to determine whether the questioning from ASADA went beyond the previous agreement for players not to incriminate themselves. However, the AFL will have either one or both of its investigators, Brett Clothier and Abraham Haddad, in attendance when ASADA begins interviewing senior Essendon players, led by Jobe Watson.
The players will have AFL Players Association legal representatives Bernie Shinners or Brett Murphy by their side, as well as their own lawyer or manager if they want - as is the case with the NRL players. However, the NRL intends to remain at arms' length to ensure there are no questions about the legal process if players are charged and have to face a hearing.
Fahey said players who did not co-operate would face harsher penalties than those who did as they could not seek a 75 per cent reduction for providing ''substantial assistance''. ''Those who have offended will be dealt with, and I suspect far more harshly than they may have otherwise been dealt with had they co-operated. And I believe that may go all the way to the top before this is over,'' Fahey said.
It is understood ASADA cannot use information provided by the Australian Crime Commission from video surveillance and phone taps as evidence against any players in a doping tribunal hearing. As a result, ASADA investigators are relying heavily on information obtained from interviews with players and training staff to help them lay charges. Lawyers argue if players detail teammates using performance-enhancing drugs, they would also incriminate themselves.
If an agreement can't be reach for the players to answer questions at the interviews, Fairfax Media has been told that ASADA will pursue other avenues of inquiry to obtain evidence. But the process will take much longer.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/leag ... z2SeGrGGr3
