The National Rugby League (NRL) has concluded disciplinary proceedings against two Accredited Player Agents.
In addition, the NRL has commenced disciplinary proceedings against two other agents.
Each matter relates to breaches or alleged breaches of the NRL Rules. None of the matters are related.
The following Accredited Player Agents are involved.
Gavin Orr
The NRL has following a disciplinary process determined that Gavin Orr’s accreditation as an NRL Player Agent should be cancelled. He has sought leave to appeal this decision before the NRL Appeals Committee with the matter to be heard in February 2020.
The conduct of Mr Orr that has given rise to the determination to cancel his agent accreditation involves knowingly aiding a breach of the NRL’s Salary Cap Rules.
As Mr Orr is seeking to appeal the NRL’s determination, the cancellation of Mr Orr’s accreditation has not taken effect pending the outcome of the appeal. This means that his accreditation will continue to be recognised while the appeal is being heard.
He remains eligible to represent NRL players during this period.
Antoun Zibara
The NRL has sanctioned Antoun Zibara for breaching the NRL’s Rules regulating the conduct of player agents. The offending conduct involved knowingly submitting several NRL Player Contracts which had not been witnessed in accordance with the NRL Rules. Mr Zibara has been fined and his accreditation is subject to a probation for three years.
He remains accredited and authorised to represent NRL players.
This disciplinary matter has concluded.
Isaac Moses
The NRL has issued a Notice under the NRL Accredited Agent Scheme Rules to Isaac Moses. This notice is the initiating step in disciplinary proceedings and operates as a show cause notice. It provides Mr Moses with an opportunity to show cause why his accreditation should not be suspended or cancelled as a result of the matters alleged.
The Notice alleges that Mr Moses breached his obligations as an Accredited Agent by counselling or assisting a person to not co-operate fully with the NRL Integrity and Compliance Unit.
This disciplinary process is ongoing. Mr Moses disputes that he engaged in the conduct that has been alleged against him and no determination will be made by the NRL until Mr Moses has an opportunity to respond to the Notice and the NRL has considered that response. This matter will be determined in the New Year.
Mario Tartak
Mario Tartak’s accreditation was suspended on 15 November 2019 following the discovery of previously undisclosed bankruptcy proceedings. Mr Tartak’s accreditation was reinstated in late November following the resolution of those proceedings.
The NRL has now issued a Notice to Mr Tartak in connection with his failure to notify the Agent Accreditation Scheme of the bankruptcy proceedings when they arose.
This disciplinary process is ongoing. No determination will be made by the NRL until Mr Tartak has an opportunity to respond to the breach notice and the NRL has considered that response. This matter will be determined in the New Year.
NRL Chief Operating Officer Nick Weeks said the Game expected the highest standard of conduct from player agents.
“Our integrity unit has conducted extensive investigations over a number of months which has resulted in disciplinary proceedings against four player agents,’’ he said.
Mr Weeks said this year had been the first season the NRL has had the power to sanction player agents.
“The reform of the rules relating to player agents at the end of last year has allowed the NRL to hold player agents accountable in the same way as Players and Club Officials.”