LRLF STATEMENT following internal investigation into story of player boycott

"Following Adrian Proszenko's 24 March article in the Sydney Morning Herald, the LRLF launched an internal investigation to establish the facts. The article was based on a letter signed by Chris Saab and Michael Hedwan, characterising themselves as 'Nominated Australian Lebanese Player Representatives', which stated they were speaking on behalf of the world cup squad. The letter stated that the squad was boycotting future internationals due to "a loss of confidence and trust" in the board, and that the boycott would stand until the "Board resigns and a new Board is re-elected". Mr Proszenko wrote a follow up on 4 April, re-stating that information and reporting it as fact.

"Not only has the LRLF honoured all agreements with the squad, the players were remunerated in excess of agreements. The LRLF investigation, which concluded on 11 April, included every member of the 40-man train-on squad. Judging by the content of the responses it is incontestable that:
(a) No democratic decision had been taken for Mr Saab and Mr Hedwan to speak on behalf of the entire squad, which they categorically do not; and
(b) there is no squad-wide boycott; and
(c) the co-signatories of the letters have tried to cause reputational and material damage to the LRLF; and
(d) the Sydney Morning Herald has caused severe reputational and material damage to the LRLF based on an article representing falsehoods as facts.

"The two articles were irresponsibly reported and published based on unsubstantiated claims and the negative publicity has resulted in the loss of sponsors, with one sponsor directly associated with the academy programme in Lebanon asking for his money to be returned. Consequently, the Lebanese academy programme in 2018 has been suspended, which is very sad news for the young players in Lebanon who have always performed so strongly at home and abroad. The LRLF continues working closely with the RLIF and with the NRL and would like to thank them for their support; and continues to plan with the NRL for the mid-season international.

"The LRLF hereby places on record the divisive behaviour of a small group of players during the world cup. These players, through their selfishness and self-interest, have now attempted to damage the legacy of the world cup. The LRLF is and has always been a values-driven organisation that believes in its mission to positively impact upon Lebanon's civil society using rugby league as the vehicle. Its institutions have proved to be strong and it looks forward to the next exciting era of growth."