Some NRL clubs are calling for the right axe players who refuse the COVID-19 vaccine as the AFL’s jab mandate puts further pressure on the code
The league stepped up talks with the players union over its vaccination policy on Friday, with both parties to negotiate an agreement to put before the ARL Commission next week.
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Vaccine mandates in NSW call for unvaccinated and vaccinated players to be separated, something certain clubs will have to navigate as they return to offseason training on November 3.
Several clubs train at different facilities and most outside team headquarters call for vaccination as a requirement of entry.
It’s understood unvaccinated players will be expected to perform their training duties somewhere else.
While most players have been vaccinated there are still players across some clubs that remain unvaccinated. Some clubs privately insist they should have the right to terminate a player’s contract if they’re not vaccinated, News Corp reports.
However, the NRL claims it will not mandate vaccination and is expected give players the option, leaving clubs in a difficult position.
The player’s union has warned the NRL not to give club’s complete power to terminate contracts.
The AFL has mandated that players and officials must be vaccinated to take part in the 2022 season.
AFL players won’t be able to train or play if unvaccinated and teams have the right slap players with sanctions, or sack them if they fail to comply.
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