“We are deeply troubled by the allegations in the recently announced class action, many of which are historic in nature and we believe are not indicative of the leading experience our players receive in the CHL today. Regardless of the timing, we are taking the claims very seriously as the protection of our players has been and will always be out primary concern.”

The CHL said it and its member leagues have made a number of advancements to enhance its player experience programs over the past two decades. The league said it has been working with organizations like the Canadian Mental Health Association, Canadian Red Cross and Respect in Sport, “to develop extensive policies and practices to educate players and team staff on the importance of respect and prevention of hazing, abuse, harassment and bullying”.

“Throughout the leagues we have worked to ensure there is a zero tolerance for violations of our rules and policies for both the team and players. We believe these programs protect our players and ensure that everyone associated with our teams understand that the type of misconduct alleged is not tolerated,” the CHL stated.

The league said it wants to ensure that it provides the safest environment to protect players.

The league also announced that its Board of Directors has appointed an Independent Review Panel to thoroughly review current policies and practices in the WHL, OHL and QMJHL that relate to hazing, abuse, harassment and bullying, as well as the allegation that players do not feel comfortable reporting behaviours that contravene these policies.

A chair of that panel will be announced in the coming weeks. The CHL said the goal is to have the review process completed in time for the start of the 2020-2021 season.

“We welcome the findings of the Independent Review Panel to ensure we are providing the safest player experience in hockey and amateur sport,” the league stated.

The CHL is reminding players of the training that is provided on player conduct and safety and the league is encouraging players to access established complaint procedures related to hazing, abuse, harassment and bullying.

“The existing procedures to raise a complaint without fear of reprisal include advising your Coach, General Manager, Police Liaison, Player Liaison or Governor/Member or league officials. To the extent that the allegations relate to criminal conduct we encourage those involved to contact the police.”

The full statement can be viewed via the CHL’s website here.

Exiled St George Illawarra forward Jack de Belin could be cleared to return from his indefinite suspension before the NRL season restarts after the coronavirus hiatus, according to reports.

De Belin was the first player banned under the NRL’s controversial no-fault, stand-down policy last February.

The policy, introduced under ex-ARL Commission chairman Peter Beattie, allows the NRL to indefinitely suspend any player charged with an offence carrying a maximum jail sentence of 11 years or more.

De Belin is facing five sexual assault charges stemming from an alleged incident involving a woman in December, 2018.

MORE: Peter V’landys ‘very confident’ NRL can return on June 1

His trial, alongside co-accused Shellharbour Sharks player Callan Sinclair, was initially due to commence in February but was rescheduled to early November before the COVID-19 crisis hit.

Having already missed the entire 2019 season, De Belin’s case is now almost certain to be pushed back to 2021 due to further delays in the court system caused by social distancing rules.

As first reported by News Limited, De Belin is seeking an in-person meeting with NRL CEO Todd Greenberg in a bid to have his suspension lifted.

But the Dragons and NSW lock’s biggest hope of a 2020 return lies in the Rugby League Players Association’s (RLPA) legal challenge of the no-fault, stand-down policy.

The RLPA will argue the NRL violated the current collective bargaining agreement (CBA) after failing to consult them before implementing its powers to suspend players before a legal matter has been decided by the courts.

An independent arbitrator will hear the matter in the coming weeks, with News Limited reporting a decision could be reached by the end of April.

If the RLPA prevails, new CEO Clint Newton will push for the policy to be immediately eradicated, clearing the way for the off-contract De Belin to immediately return.

De Belin challenged the no-fault, stand-down policy in the Federal Court in 2019 but withdrew his case in August.

Meanwhile, new ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys this week boldly declared the NRL competition could resume as early as June.

The season was suspended last month after just two rounds due to the coronavirus.

Paris (AFP) – Spartak Moscow youth team player Leonid Mironov will not be charged for racially abusing Liverpool teenager Rhian Brewster during a UEFA Youth League game last December, after UEFA found no evidence to confirm the allegation.

Mironov admitted swearing at Brewster, who was the leading scorer in England’s Under-17 World Cup triumph last year, but denied making a racial slur.

UEFA on Wednesday announced that an investigation had not found any evidence of racist abuse, after an inspector took statements from five players from each team and two match officials.

European football’s governing body acknowledged that Brewster’s allegation was made in good faith.

“Leonid Mironov was also interviewed by the inspector and stated that he indeed swore at Rhian Brewster, but he unreservedly denied using any discriminatory language,” UEFA said in a statement.

“After concluding his investigation, the inspector found no evidence to corroborate the allegations.”

Liverpool responded by calling on authorities to do more in tackling discrimination in the game, after Brewster had claimed UEFA “don’t care” about racism in the aftermath of the incident.

“We would like to place on record our admiration for the courage shown by Rhian Brewster throughout this process and commend his exemplary conduct,” a spokesman for the Premier League club told Britain’s Press Association.

“In keeping with Rhian’s stance, the club encourages football’s governing bodies to facilitate the most robust processes possible to identify and tackle discrimination in the game at all ages.”

Last month the English FA didn’t take any action against Liverpool first-team forward Roberto Firmino after the Brazilian was accused of racially abusing Everton’s Mason Holgate in a similar incident.

The 17-year-old Brewster has struggled with knee injuries since the Under-17 World Cup last season, and is yet to make an appearance for the Liverpool senior side.

Paris (AFP) – Spartak Moscow youth team player Leonid Mironov will not be charged for racially abusing Liverpool teenager Rhian Brewster during a UEFA Youth League game last December, after UEFA found no evidence to confirm the allegation.

Mironov admitted swearing at Brewster, who was the leading scorer in England’s Under-17 World Cup triumph last year, but denied making a racial slur.

UEFA on Wednesday announced that an investigation had not found any evidence of racist abuse, after an inspector took statements from five players from each team and two match officials.

European football’s governing body acknowledged that Brewster’s allegation was made in good faith.

“Leonid Mironov was also interviewed by the inspector and stated that he indeed swore at Rhian Brewster, but he unreservedly denied using any discriminatory language,” UEFA said in a statement.

“After concluding his investigation, the inspector found no evidence to corroborate the allegations.”

Liverpool responded by calling on authorities to do more in tackling discrimination in the game, after Brewster had claimed UEFA “don’t care” about racism in the aftermath of the incident.

“We would like to place on record our admiration for the courage shown by Rhian Brewster throughout this process and commend his exemplary conduct,” a spokesman for the Premier League club told Britain’s Press Association.

“In keeping with Rhian’s stance, the club encourages football’s governing bodies to facilitate the most robust processes possible to identify and tackle discrimination in the game at all ages.”

Last month the English FA didn’t take any action against Liverpool first-team forward Roberto Firmino after the Brazilian was accused of racially abusing Everton’s Mason Holgate in a similar incident.

The 17-year-old Brewster has struggled with knee injuries since the Under-17 World Cup last season, and is yet to make an appearance for the Liverpool senior side.

Roar Guru

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Update: Karmichael Hunt has been stood down from his training and playing commitments effective immediately and indefinitely after news broke that he was charged with drug possession on Saturday.

Rugby Australia statement 31/12/2017
Queensland Rugby Union, Rugby Australia and Karmichael Hunt have today agreed that it is in the best interests of all parties that Karmichael is stood down immediately from any team-related Rugby activities, including training and playing commitments.

The parties are awaiting information from the Queensland Police pertaining to the circumstances of the recent allegations before any next steps or return to Rugby activities will be contemplated.

Karmichael Hunt is cooperating fully with the Rugby Australia Integrity Unit and Queensland Rugby Union investigation and, given that this is an ongoing police matter, there will be no further comment from the parties.

Previous: Queensland Reds and Wallabies player Karmichael Hunt has been arrested in Brisbane and charged with drug possession.

Queensland police confirmed on Saturday morning that two men had been arrested in Fortitude Valley. Hunt was the only player involved in the incident.

“An incident involving Karmichael Hunt occurred which resulted in his arrest,” said Hunt’s lawyer, Adam Magill.

“At this stage no further instructions have been taken.

“There were two males involved and there has been a subsequent charge of possession. They have been charged conjointly.”

Hunt has been told to appear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on January 29.

He has previously been fined after pleading guilty to four charges of cocaine possession in 2015.

Rugby Australia released a brief statement regarding the incident on Saturday afternoon.

Rugby Australia statement 30/12/2017
Rugby Australia has today been made aware of an incident involving Wallabies and Queensland Reds back Karmichael Hunt in Brisbane overnight. It is understood Hunt was arrested and has subsequently been released by Queensland Police.

Rugby Australia takes all matters relating to the off-field behaviour of its players seriously and has commenced an investigation into the incident in conjunction with the Queensland Rugby Union.

No further comment will be made at this time.