The St George Illawarra Dragons have handed down additional club-imposed sanctions to the 13 players who breached NRL biosecurity protocols and state government public health orders on Saturday night.
The remainder of Paul Vaughan's playing contract has been terminated, effective immediately, as a result of now a number of breaches that include and predate the current matter.
Vaughan was contracted to the Dragons until the end of the 2022 season.
The remaining 12 players will be issued with individual breach notices containing a confidential monetary fine that will be forwarded to selected local charities as well as compulsory extracurricular club service.
"The board haven't taken any of the 13 players' actions lightly and reinforced this on Tuesday morning by taking these additional actions including the termination of Paul Vaughan's contract," Dragons CEO Ryan Webb said.
"The club maintains it holds no reservations over the punishments already handed down by the NRL Integrity Unit and New South Wales Police.
"These additional penalties have been determined in such a way that the beneficiaries will be those affected by the players' misconduct."
Monday, 6pm
The St George Illawarra Dragons can confirm 13 players breached NRL biosecurity protocols and state government public health orders on Saturday night.
The Dragons worked closely with the NRL Integrity Unit throughout their investigation and were furthermore disappointed to learn that certain individuals did not immediately acknowledge their attendance at the event in question.
The 13 players that breached the aforementioned protocols and health orders were Daniel Alvaro, Gerard Beale, Jack Bird, Jack de Belin, Matt Dufty, Kaide Ellis, Tyrell Fuimaono, Josh Kerr, Blake Lawrie, Zac Lomax, Josh McGuire, Corey Norman and Paul Vaughan.
Vaughan – whose residence where the event occurred – has been suspended for eight weeks and fined $50,000 by the NRL. The NRL took into account Vaughan's past Covid breach indiscretion and withholding of key information.
The remaining 12 players have otherwise been collectively fined a total of $255,000, taking into account past indiscretions and each individual's varying salaries, and suspended for one-match each.
The players facing one-match suspensions are to be split across a minimum of two rounds and a maximum of four rounds to ensure the club have enough players available to field a squad in the coming weeks.
All 13 players were additionally fined $1000 by New South Wales police.
Dragons CEO Ryan Webb conveyed his dismay and condemned the 13 players' conduct.
"The 13 players' arrogance and ignorance to both the NRL biosecurity protocols and the state government's public health order is upsetting and infuriating," Webb said.
"Every member of the club's Apollo register were communicated their responsibilities and limitations under level four protocols on numerous occasions.
"All 13 players have let the rest of their teammates, the entirety of our hard-working staff, their families, the wider community and most importantly our Red V members, partners and fans, down.
"The entire club and our stakeholders will now be punished as a result of the combined 20-week suspension procured between the 13 players.
"The Dragons hold no reservations over the punishments handed down by the NRL Integrity Unit or NSW Police given the players' complete disregard for both the game and community's expectations."
Webb refused to rule out club-imposed sanctions, to be determined at a Tuesday board of directors meeting.
Initial statement
St George Illawarra are aware of a New South Wales state government stay-at-home order and NRL biosecurity breach involving a number of players.
The Dragons will not make comment at this time, while the investigation into the matter with the NRL Integrity Unit and NSW Police continues.
