NRL chief executive Dave Smith has backed Cronulla's decision to sack Todd Carney and placed players "on notice" that there would be "consequences" if they damaged the reputation of the code.
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A spokesperson confirmed that NRL appeals committee chairman Ian Callinan, QC, would consider an application by Carney for leave to appeal the termination of his $3.5 million, five-year contract after a photo of him urinating towards his mouth was circulated widely on social media but Smith made it clear he had little sympathy for the troubled playmaker.
"I am right behind the process that has taken place so far," said Smith, who pointed out Carney was contracted to the Sharks and not the NRL. "It is incredibly disappointing when these things happen but it is less about the individual or the event and much more about the reputational damage it does to our game.
"Ninety Nine per cent of people who represent our game are great people and they do a phenomenal job. Our players spend 35,000 hours per year in the community so let's keep it in perspective but having said that it is incredibly disappointing when these things take place and if the minority do commit indiscretions those players should be on notice.
"We are incredibly disappointed and players have got to accept responsibility for themselves. We are trying to establish a much higher threshold for our reputation and our behaviours and players have got to be accountable for their behaviour. We will guard the reputation of the code jealously. It is a tiny minority when these things go wrong but when they do go wrong there wll be consequences."
Meanwhile, Smith said he hoped seven-time premiership winning coach Wayne Bennett remained in charge of the Knights but admitted the make-up of the new Newcastle board may not be finalised until the end of the season.
"I think at the end of the day that is a matter for Wayne to decide," Smith said of Bennett, who is a free agent after the NRL took control of the club from Nathan Tinkler. "He is a highly respected part of rugby league, he is a wonderful man and I think he has been a wonderful part of the Newcastle team so we hope he chooses to stay.
"But fundamentally that is up to Wayne and we need to make sure we are doing all the right things to take a strong position and make it stronger. The opportunity to reconstitute the Newcastle club, which is well capitalised and has money in the bank, and re-connect it with the community even more than it was before is a big one and a really positive one, and I hope Wayne is a part of it."
Smith said the NRL had hired an independent search company to find candidates for the Knights board but the process had only begun last week and may take two months.
