Rugby whistleblowers get amnesty

In the wake of the recent rugby scandal, named ’Bloodgate’, the Rugby Football Union has set up a task group "committed to drawing a line under the past and restoring the good image of the game". Yesterday, John Owen, President of RFU and chief of the group presented a ‘whistle-blower’s amnesty’.

"To achieve what we need to do in such a short time frame, establishing the game's trust in the group will be crucial," he said. "To achieve that, all dialogue inside the group and with the group must remain entirely confidential."

The task force will send out a questionnaire to members of the Professional Rugby Players’ Association “to offer players the opportunity to disclose evidence of inappropriate behavior in the game in return for immunity from disciplinary sanction.” Coaches, administrators and medics will receive similar questionnaires.

The amnesty will, however, not apply to criminal action such as use of illegal recreational drugs.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN