Melbourne Storm chairman Bart Campbell claims the NRL's policy regarding player behaviour "has a purpose to show women the game does respect them" and is required after a spate of off-field incidents made it difficult for his club to secure a major sponsor.
Campbell was the last witness to take the stand on the final day of de Belins hearing against the Australian Rugby League Commission. The former New Zealand High Court barrister spent less than 20 minutes in the witness box, where he was grilled over his clubs pursuit of a new backer after Crown indicated it would not renew its sponsorship.
Strong support: Melbourne chairman Bart Campbell arrives at the Federal Court, where he backed the NRL's stance on player behaviour.Credit:AAP
Campbell said the process had become “fraught” due to the adverse publicity stemming from a series of off-field scandals. He said four unnamed potential sponsors the club was negotiating with had expressed concerns about off-field incidents and the negative publicity they had garnered. Three additional companies already in partnership with the Storm, as well as another firm, had been asked about the prospect of stepping into up into the major sponsorship role. Purple Bricks has subsequently taken the major property.
De Belins barrister, Martin Einfeld QC, posited that calls from Storm captain Cameron Smith and CEO Dave Donaghy for the NRL to reinstate the premierships stripped for salary cap rorting may have contributed to the clubs sponsorship difficulties. Campbell denied this and revealed he did not share the sentiment that those titles should be returned.
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Campbell has been one of the strongest advocates for the games hardline stance on player behaviour. Previously, players who pleaded not guilty to alleged offences were allowed to continue playing while the matters were dealt with in court. Under the new policy, any player charged with an offence that carries a maximum prison term of 11 years or more will be automatically stood down. De Belin, who has pleaded not guilty to a charge of aggravated sexual assault, was the first player suspended under a rule that Einfeld labelled “harsh” and “draconian”.
In February, Campbell sent a memo to the other 15 club bosses urging the NRL to take strong action against player behaviour or face a sponsor exodus.
“Standing around while Rome burns is not good enough,” Campbell wrote at the time. “As a game we need to do something.”
Campbell subsequently stated the Storm would stand down a player facing serious criminal charges.
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