The NRL has released the following statement in regards to Manly Sea Eagles winger David Williams after he was charged by Police:
The National Rugby League will await the completion of court proceedings before determining if any disciplinary action is warranted in relation to the charging of Manly player David Williams.
The NRL Integrity Unit has made a number of preliminary inquiries and determined that there is no clear code of conduct breach outside of the matters relating to the charges levelled by police.
The facts relating to the actual charge remain in dispute and will be determined through court proceedings.
“We want to ensure a consistent and fair approach and in all cases that will commence with the Integrity Unit looking into any matter,” NRL Chief Operating Officer, Mr Jim Doyle, said today.
“Where there is clear evidence that demonstrates a breach of our rules we will always look to take the appropriate action.
“Where those facts are in dispute and subject to either police or court proceedings then, clearly, there are going to be times when we have to let those proceedings take their course before determining the game’s reaction.
“Based on the Integrity Unit’s inquiries to date, this is one of those times.”
It is interesting that the NRL has chosen not to suspend Williams as it has other players in recent weeks that have been charged by the police. It shows that the NRL Integrity Unit is willing to show some level of digression on a case by case basis.
Now we wait for the court case…
Link: NRL Statement
