CLUBS FORCED TO SIGN WITH ARL, COURT TOLD
LEAGUE SUPER FEDERAL (SYDNEY)
A full bench of the Federal Court has been told that clubs
signed five-year commitment and loyalty agreements with the
Australian Rugby League because they feared the consequences if
they didn't.
CHARLES SWEENEY, QC, for the eight Super League-aligned clubs,
told the court in Sydney the league forced the clubs to lock
themselves into the five-year agreements by fuelling their fears
that they would be shut out of the competition if they didn't sign
them.
He said ARL general manager JOHN QUAYLE sent the clubs a letter
saying they'd be guilty of disloyalty if they didn't sign.
The aim, according to SWEENEY, was to lock News Limited out of
the rugby league market by getting all the clubs to sign up.
The appeal hearing, before Justices JOHN LOCKHART, JOHN VON
DOUSSA and RONALD SACKVILLE, will continue on Wednesday.
AAP RTVS bzw/nh
Juiceman
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