The National Rugby League (NRL) today issued Brisbane Broncos player Tevita Pangai Junior with a breach notice after he failed to comply with the code's biosecurity protocols.
The notice alleges multiple breaches by Pangai Junior of the protocols over a period of time. The notice directs that Pangai Junior be excluded from the Broncos’ bubble and any NRL match day until such time that he can satisfy the NRL that he will comply with all biosecurity protocols.
It also proposes Pangai Junior be fined $30,000.
In determining the penalty Acting CEO Andrew Abdo considered the player’s apparent disregard for the rules.
“We believe this was a case of a player committing multiple contraventions of the protocols and showing a disregard for the league’s rules,’’ he said.
“We will do everything we can to protect our season. Players or officials who show they are unable to comply with the biosecurity protocols will be removed from club bubbles until we are satisfied that they will comply with the protocols. We believe in this case, Tevita has not been able to do that.”
“This decision protects the health of our playing squads and most importantly the general community.”
“I want to reiterate that the overwhelming majority of players and officials are doing the right thing and we thank them for that. Where there are breaches of protocols we will take immediate action to ensure no risk of infection.”
