BREAKING: Vaughan banned for 8 games, Dragons cop $305k whack for Covid party
https://www.foxsports.com.au/pmd/images/2021/07/05/805494_640x360_large_20210705083923.jpg 640w" alt="Dragons Covid breach explained" />The NRL has thrown the book at Dragons star Paul Vaughan, suspending him for eight weeks for organising and attempting to conceal the club’s infamous house party.
Vaughan was also slapped with a $50,000 fine while the other 12 Dragons players at the party received a one-week suspension and more than $300,000 in fines. Corey Norman also received a $50,000 fine.
Scroll down to see the full breakdown of fines handed to Dragons players
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The NRL took into account Vaughan’s past Covid breach indiscretion and withholding of key information.
Vaughan, Josh McGuire, Jack Bird, Blake Lawrie, Corey Norman, Kaide Ellis, Matt Dufty, Gerard Beale, Josh Kerr, Daniel Alvaro, Tyrell Fuimaono, Zac Lomax and Jack de Belin all copped financial sanctions by police for breaking NSW Covid guidelines amid the state’s latest outbreak crisis.
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https://www.foxsports.com.au/pmd/images/2021/07/04/805447_640x360_large_20210704193057.jpg 640w" alt="Abdo: I'm incredibly disappointed" />
The NRL released a statement on Monday night, confirming it had issued breach notices to 13 Dragons players alleging they failed to comply with the game’s biosecurity protocols and withheld key information from the NRL Integrity Unit.
“The NRL alleges that player Paul Vaughan invited players to a gathering at his home on Saturday 3 July which was attended by 12 teammates, in breach of NSW Public Health Orders and the Game’s biosecurity protocols. It’s alleged a number of players hid or fled the residence when NSW Police attended the home after complaints from neighbours,” the statement read.
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“It’s also alleged that a number of players gave or were involved in giving misleading information about the event during the NRL’s investigation into the breaches and that some of the players conspired to withhold key information from the NRL. The notices allege that all players involved knowingly breached the game’s biosecurity rules by attending the premeditated gathering. They were made aware of the game’s Biosecurity Protocols by the club and admit they knew they were breaching the game’s rules.
“The Breach Notice issued to Vaughan, who has previously been sanctioned by the NRL for breaches of the biosecurity rules in 2020 and who organised and hosted the gathering, proposes an 8 match suspension and a fine of $50,000. This takes into account Vaughan withholding key information from the Integrity Unit. The proposed sanctions for all other players who attended the gathering include one match suspensions and fines. Total fines for all players amount to $305,000. Players serving one-match suspensions will be split across a minimum of 2 Rounds and a maximum of 4 Rounds to ensure the Dragons have enough players available to field a squad each week.”
The fines take into account past indiscretions and the varying salaries of the players.
Blake Lawry – $20,000
Corey Norman – $50,000
Daniel Alvaro – $15,000
Jack Bird – $25,000
Josh Kerr – $18,000
Josh McGuire – $12,000
Kaide Ellis – $5,000
Matt Dufty – $23,000
Paul Vaughan – $50,000
Tyrell Fuimaono – $12,000
Zac Lomax – $31,000
Jack de Belin – $42,000
Gerard Beale – $2,000
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https://www.foxsports.com.au/pmd/images/2021/07/04/805441_640x360_large_20210704184738.jpg 640w" alt="Dragons caught partying during lockdown" />
NRL Chief Executive Andrew Abdo said the game alleged the players deliberately put at risk the continuity of the competition.
“In our view the actions of the players were deliberate and some of the players withheld key information from the Integrity Unit,’’ he said.
“On the information we have, the players understood the protocols and deliberately chose to ignore them, they chose to risk the continuity of our competition. The sanctions handed down today puts every player in the game on notice, particularly repeat offenders – this sort of conduct will not be tolerated.
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“There are many people working incredibly hard to keep the competition going – it’s a privilege to play football, not a right. We’ve made promises to the community and to state governments and we will do everything we can to honour those promises. I want to stress that there are almost 900 players and officials following strict biosecurity measures and the overwhelming number are doing the right thing, as they did last year.
“We will continue to work with all clubs and state governments to ensure compliance, the health and safety of the community, our players and officials the continuity of the competition.”
The players have five working days to respond to the Breach Notices.
Dragons chief executive condemned the 13 players’ conduct.
“The 13 players’ arrogance and ignorance to both the NRL biosecurity protocols and the state government’s public health order is upsetting and infuriating,” Webb said.
“Every member of the club‘s Apollo register were communicated their responsibilities and limitations under level four protocols on numerous occasions.
“All 13 players have let the rest of their teammates, the entirety of our hard-working staff, their families, the wider community and most importantly our Red V members, partners and fans, down.
“The entire club and our stakeholders will now be punished as a result of the combined 20-week suspension procured between the 13 players.
“The Dragons hold no reservations over the punishments handed down by the NRL Integrity Unit or NSW Police given the players‘ complete disregard for both the game and community’s expectations.”
Replies
Just WOW. Stupid is as stupid does!
Expensive party 🥳 🎉 🎈
Had to be taught a lesson , does that stand ? Or appeals can Be done ?
The players have 5 days to respond to the breach notices. I don't think they have a hope in hell of winning any sort of reductions on penalties. The Dragons club are appaarently ok with the penalties, and they are not discounting penalties of their own.
Good hope so .
There goes normans pokie win lol if sticks
Bahahaha
Geez hope saints don't have to pay these dopes while they sit it out.
Jack deBelin hiding under a bed whilst the cops came... not that he is the only one but seriously what a dope!
Yep as if he should be sailing that close to the wind again🙄
seriously no self regulation - they say that many great atheletes have ADHD and after this I'd believe it
that or they are just a bunch of self entitled dickheads who've gotten away with most shit all their lives coz of their sporting abilities
hate to be a saints fan we've had our own share of Chinese dinner type and shit
JDB Must of been hiding under a king size coz the cops didn't find him, but what an effwit after all the club supported him through !! He is a dad haha
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