South Sydney Rabbitohs CEO Blake Solly has hit back at criticism of plans to resume the NRL from May 28.
The competition was suspended after just two rounds on March 23 due to the coronavirus pandemic, with earlier games having taken place behind closed doors.
A return date at the end of next month was decided following a call with league organisers and club representatives, but there have been concerns raised by some figures from outside the sport.
Hawthorn AFL president Jeff Kennett suggested the NRL was putting monetary concerns ahead of player safety by allowing the competition to resume, but Solly insists that is an unfair claim.
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"Some of the commentary has been ill-informed or misinformed," Solly told ABC Grandstand. "There is no way we are going to do anything to put our players or staff at risk.
"We're not going to do anything the government doesn't allow us to do or the medical or biosecurity experts don't recommend we do.
"So, if we do start playing again it's because we have been cleared by the government to do so."
Solly did add, however, that resuming the competition as soon as possible is imperative for a number of club employees who are facing possible job insecurity.
"If we have a position where the government supports our return to play, it's almost an imperative for our members, sponsors and staff to play," he added.
"We've got 60 staff that rely on rugby league playing for their jobs.
"If it's safe and the government is supporting us playing, why wouldn't we get these people back to work as soon as we can?
"We are an employer. There is a human cost in not operating and opening our doors.
"If the government tells us it is safe to play then we should be minimising that human cost and getting our people back to work."
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk also cast doubts about the NRL's potential return on May 28, believing that medical experts still have a lot to weigh-in on when it comes to the competition starting again.
