Crackdown on club officials publicly courting rival players confirmed after Lachlan Galvin saga
The NRL statement said: “Clubs have been advised that the definition of tampering will now include certain public and private statements that may be viewed as attempts to induce or persuade a player to join another club.
“The new regulations have been established in conjunction with the Rugby League Players Association in accordance with the CBA. [collective-bargaining agreement]and is designed to protect each club’s contract and negotiating rights throughout the duration of a player’s contractual employment at a club.”
The new rules will come into force on February 1. It will not apply to players who are allowed to negotiate with rival clubs.
The NRL said possible penalties include fines, salary cap sanctions and “in the most serious cases” deregistration of officials, managers and/or players.
Gould was not the only high-profile figure to speak publicly about a player under contract at a rival club last season.
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In August, South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett confirmed his interest in recruiting enigmatic Gold Coast back-rower David Fifita, whom he previously coached in Brisbane.
“I don’t know what the situation is with David and the Titans,” Bennett told News Corp.
“If it’s available, I’m interested, yes of course. Our hands are tied until we get permission to speak. If it comes on the market, I’ll be interested in it.”
The Titans duly gave Fifita permission to explore his options and confirmed they had released him from the final year of his contract on October 29. The rabbis announced the same day that they had signed him to a two-year deal.
