The Australian Rugby League Commission has announced a 10-year ban for any NRL player who agrees to join a football competition not recognised by the ARLC, as speculation grows around big names joining a rebel rugby union competition.<\/p>\n
The statement, released on Wednesday, follows several rugby union federations announcing a ban on playing Test matches for any player who signed with R360.<\/p>\n
R360 is an upstart rebel rugby union league, co-founded by former England Rugby World Cup winner Mike Tindall.<\/p>\n
High-profile NRL players have reportedly been targeted by R360, which is yet to announce a launch date for its competition.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday, the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) said any player who even negotiated with a competition it did not recognise would face a 10-year ban.<\/p>\n
The ARLC statement does not name any competition specifically.<\/p>\n
“Any NRL Player who negotiates, signs, or enters into a Letter of Intent, Playing Contract, or any other form of agreement \u2014 whether verbal or written \u2014 with a football competition, league, or organisation not recognised by the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) as a national sporting federation, will be banned from participation in the NRL and any ARLC-sanctioned competitions for a period of ten (10) years,” it says.<\/p>\n
ARLC chairman Peter V’landys said the policy was aimed at protecting rugby league’s future and the sport’s supporters.<\/p>\n