Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys has asked the Dragons to explain themselves over the recent Jack de Belin interview.
De Belin broke a three-year media silence earlier this month when he fronted journalists to answer questions about the rape charges that sidelined him since the end of 2019.
He and a friend, Callan Sinclair, were accused of raping a then-19-year-old inside a Wollongong apartment.
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De Belin faced two trials, but neither jury could reach a majority verdict and so the charges were dismissed.
During his interview this month he told reporters, “I wouldn’t necessarily say I’m sorry”.
Now, the Sydney Morning Herald reports V’landys is investigating how the interview was arranged and why it was only offered to a select group of journalists.
It is the only time the Dragons have put de Belin up for media since the rape accusations emerged, and the club did not send an open invite to accredited media for the opportunity.
None of the journalists present were women.
“We want as many women in the game, and they should always feel comfortable and encouraged,” V’landys said.
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“I won’t go into the subject of it, but they should just have a standard policy to invite all journalists to media conferences and, in particular, they should encourage and support female journalists.
“Anything to the contrary would be completely stupid.
“I hope the St George club have learnt from this.”
Dragons chairman Craig Young was reportedly unaware the de Belin interview had been arranged before it aired on 9News and in various newspapers.
“I wasn’t aware of it, which is disappointing, to say the least,” Young said.
“It should have been an open go. My view is that it should have press conference should be open to whoever wants to attend.”
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