Welch fined $20,000, with half suspended, for COVID-19 breach
Melbourne Storm prop Christian Welch has been fined $20,000 with half of it suspended for breaching the NRL’s biosecurity protocols.
Welch brought an unregistered guest into the Storm’s residences at a Sunshine Coast resort on Thursday night which is not allowed under the NRL’s COVID-19 protocols designed to avoid any chance of a player contracting the virus.
Welch will not play against Wests Tigers on the Sunshine Coast on Saturday but after passing two COVID-19 tests will be allowed back into the Storm’s bubble.
This will allow him to keep training with the side and stake his claim to earn a recall to the side for next week’s final round or the subsequent NRL finals series.
Welch has five days to respond to the penalty but he’s not expected to challenge it considering he has avoided suspension or other sanctions.
NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said all players and officials had to comply with the league’s protocols.
“Complying with the protocols is absolutely critical to our season. The protocols ensure we protect the safety of our players, staff and the community,’’ Abdo said.
“Any player or official who breaches the protocols will face significant fines. The overwhelming majority of our players and officials have done the right thing throughout a very challenging season. It is critically important that compliance continues.”