The NRL Has Been Slammed For Giving Unfair Penalties To Female Players
"Caitlin's proposed financial punishment is another example of the inconsistent and disproportionate penalties handed down to players."
The Rugby League Players Association has come to the defence of Newcastle Knights fullback Caitlin Moran after the NRL handed her an “inconsistent” penalty for her social media post about the Queen.
Earlier this week, Moran — an Indigenous woman — was slapped with a one-match ban and a suspended fine worth 25 percent of her salary. The penalty rules her out for one-fifth of the Knights’ season and comes at a crucial time for the NRLW team’s finals hopes.
While the Knights issued a statement lending their support to the NRL Integrity Unit’s decision, the Player’s Association has been quick to defend Moran, calling the fine “far too severe.”
“Caitlin’s proposed financial punishment is another example of the inconsistent and disproportionate penalties handed down to players,” a statement from the RLPA said. “Case by case, the NRL has a worrying track record of inconsistent punishments given to players.”
The fine is suspended, which means she’ll only actually pay it if she further breaches the NRL’s code of conduct within the next year, but many have still criticised the penalty for being proportionally much more severe than sanctions given to players in the men’s league. Not to mention, Moran will have to serve her ban immediately — to the detriment of the team’s finals hopes — while Penrith Panthers winger Taylan May was able to suspend his ban (issued after he was found guilty of assault) until next season, so as to not “punish” fans and the team’s premiership hopes.
RLPA CEO Clint Newton has also spoken out, noting that the one-match ban is a disproportionate punishment went compared to the men’s league.
“Considering that Caitlin will now miss one game of a five-game competition plus finals, it’s a fifth of the season,” Newton told NCA Newswire. “Compare that to a male player who would have missed four or five matches. That’s a significant breach when you look at the comparison.”
The RLPA’s support of Moran comes after her coach Ronald Griffiths also came to her defence following her social media post.
“I think from our perspective and particularly mine being a Gomeroi man, the relationship between Indigenous people and the monarchy is certainly a complicated one,” said Griffiths on Sunday.
The RLPA has also called for the NRL to be more transparent when it comes to issues involving the integrity unit. “For integrity-related matters, the RLPA has continually advocated for transparency, but we are yet to see any framework that informs the NRL’s sanctions,” the RLPA statement read. “The lack of a clear and transparent framework puts players in an incredibly vulnerable position and leaves many within the game scratching their heads at administrative decision-making.
“Concerningly, the game wants to be transparent with the public by publicising Breach Notices, but the game does not want to be transparent with key industry stakeholders on what framework informs that decision-making.
“The RLPA’s position is that Breach Notices should not be published until the matters are officially resolved.”
Moran has until Tuesday to appeal the sanction, but will not play in this weekend’s match against St George Illawarra.
Photo Credit: Newcastle Knights