NRL players are furious, claiming Manly fullback Brett Stewart has been 'hung out to dry' after being suspended by the league for being intoxicated at the Sea Eagles' season launch last Friday.
The NRL on Wednesday banned Stewart from playing until round five, saying he'd abused the privilege of being made the face of their $1.5m season advertising campaign when refused service and asked to leave the Manly Wharf Hotel last week.
Manly's booze-fuelled season launch at the hotel preceded an alleged sexual assault by Stewart on a 17-year-old female later that evening.
Stewart was charged by police on Wednesday and ordered to appear at Manly court on April 7.
NRL chief executive David Gallop said earlier on Wednesday that Stewart's behaviour at the launch, and not the ongoing criminal investigation, was behind their banning him from playing football.
Long history of incidents
But the Rugby League Players' Association reacted angrily to the decision, saying players are now bewildered at how the code can enforce such a ruling when the game's past is littered with incidents fuelled by alcohol involving players and officials.
"It appears now that the NRL Board have drawn a line in the sand in regards to alcohol consumption by each person bound by the code," RLPA managing director Matt Rodwell said.
"The RLPA, who has spent the afternoon consulting with players, can convey that many believe Stewart has been hung out to dry due to mounting pressure on the NRL from various sectors.
"The players cannot comprehend that Stewart has been found guilty of a breach under the code of conduct when many players (and officials) have previously been ignored for perceived breaches.
"The players are extremely frustrated and angry that the application of the rules have been applied in this situation but were not applied on previous occasions.
"I have a very angry playing group, particularly those at Manly, who are confused at the lack of consistency in the application of the rules which apply in this case.
Give us consistency
"All the players are seeking is consistency across the board.
"The RLPA strongly supports the game wide strategy to promote responsible drinking and behaviour, but it is clear the time has arrived for an independent body to be established to deal with matters relating to indiscretions as referred to in the NRL Code of Conduct.
"The RLPA believes this would help alleviate pressure from the NRL and the clubs and create consistency when dealing with the sanctioning of code breaches.
Transparent and consistent rules need to be applied across the game. Players, Administrators and Officials are entitled to prior knowledge of the consequences for any breach of the code.
"The NRL must ensure that any future breach of the Code, particularly when it involves alcohol by players, administrators or officials is dealt with in a consistent manner to avoid any future inconsistencies that often plague the game."
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