The NRL has moved swiftly to remind players they are obligated to fully cooperate with the Integrity Unit or face stiff penalties following concerns the Payne Haas case opened a loophole to escape heavy punishment.
The Broncos stood Haas down for four games and fined him $20,000 after he failed to fully cooperate with an IU investigation into two separate incidents involving family members.
The NRL rubber-stamped the punishment but were immediately under pressure to guarantee other players under investigation would not quote the 'Haas Amendment' to avoid hefty sanctions.
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Payne Haas has found a way to beat the system - do something bad - refuse to talk to Integrity Unit - and cop just a four week ban.
— The Mole (@9_Moley) February 19, 2019
Watch for more bad boys to follow suit in coming weeks.
"Can you imagine a situation where a player facing serious charges looks at the Haas punishment and takes his chances by not cooperating with the Integrity Unit?" one club insider told Sporting News.
"He might gamble on his punishment being less than it would have been had he given evidence in full."
Not so says the NRL, with a spokesman confirming players would be hit with strong sanctions should they try to impede, obstruct or fail to sufficiently cooperate with an IU investigation.
The NRL will come over the top of clubs and issue its own sanctions if it deems club-imposed punishments are not tough enough.
In the Haas case, the NRL was comfortable with Brisbane’s handling of the incident.
"The player’s level of candour fell well short of his obligations under the NRL Rules," the spokesperson said.
"The NRL worked with the Broncos on the matter and the proposed sanction, and supports the action announced by the club today."