Unrecognised Football Competitions - Prohibitions and Sanctions

The Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) has released the following statement following a meeting today:

1. Player Prohibition

Any NRL Player who negotiates, signs, or enters into a Letter of Intent, Playing Contract, or any other form of agreement—whether verbal or written—with a football competition, league, or organisation not recognised by the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) as a national sporting federation, will be banned from participation in the NRL and any ARLC-sanctioned competitions for a period of ten (10) years.

2. Agent Prohibition

Any NRL Accredited Player Agent who acts for, assists, represents, or advises a player in any capacity in relation to dealings with, or the signing of, a Letter of Intent or Playing Contract with a football competition that is not recognised by the ARLC as a national sporting federation, will be subject to the same ten (10) year ban from NRL-related activities, including accreditation renewal.

3. Discretion to Review or Lift Ban

The ARLC retains sole and absolute discretion to review or lift a ban imposed under this provision only in exceptionally extenuating circumstances, to be determined on a case-by-case basis.

ARLC Chairman Peter V’landys AM said: “The Commission has a clear duty to act in the best interests of Rugby League and its fans—and we will take all necessary steps to protect the future of the game. Unfortunately, there will always be organisations that seek to pirate our game for potential financial gain. They don’t invest in pathways or the development of players —they simply exploit the hard work of others, putting players at risk of financial loss while profiting themselves. They are, in reality, counterfeiting a code. Accordingly if it all goes wrong it’s the players who suffer most. Every stakeholder must be accountable to the standards our fans expect. We’ve listened to our Clubs, and we’ve acted decisively.”

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