South Sydney CEO Blake Solly has claimed the NRL will be treating the Sydney Roosters differently to other clubs if they do not breach them for a scoreboard stunt that left the Rabbitohs listed only as “visiting team”.
But the Rabbitohs’ concerns are set to fall on deaf ears, with the NRL opting to shoulder arms over the storied rivalry’s latest tit-for-tat.
The Roosters on Monday issued an apology for leaving the Rabbitohs’ name off the Allianz Stadium big screen for Friday night’s clash, while claiming it was in “the spirit of the rivalry”.
In a statement, the Tricolours also claimed they’d been referred to as “visitors” during Sunday’s NSW Cup match between the two teams at Redfern Oval.
The issue drew the ire of Rabbitohs officials, with the situation intensified by the ongoing turf war between the two clubs over Allianz Stadium and Souths’ repeated push to move back there.
Souths officials also believe listing them as “visiting team” is a breach of the NRL’s operations manual, which states scoreboards must include the names of both teams.
Asked on Monday whether Souths had made a formal complaint about the matter to the NRL, Solly said he did not believe they should have to.
“I’m not sure why we have to make a formal complaint,” Solly said.
“Clubs who breach the operations manual are routinely warned and fined without a complaint from the other club. For example, late kick-offs or taking too long to convert after a try.
“The rule couldn’t be clearer. I just hope it’s not one rule for the Roosters and another for the other 16 clubs.”
On Monday, the NRL chose not to comment on the matter, but have confirmed to AAP that no breach notice would be handed down.
The use of non-official names has been a theme in Queensland in recent years, with Brisbane often referring to the Dolphins as “Redcliffe” in marketing material.
No club is believed to have been breached previously for not listing their opponent on the scoreboard.
Solly’s comments came after Rabbitohs chairman Nick Pappas labelled the situation “thoroughly discourteous” and called for “an unreserved apology”.
In response on Monday, the Roosters insisted the decision to leave the Rabbitohs’ name off the scoreboard was their own and not from Allianz Stadium operators Venues NSW.
“If this genuinely caused the level of concern suggested, we will cease doing so,” the Roosters said in a statement.
“This was consistent with the wording used during the Roosters’ corresponding home game against the Rabbitohs last season.
“It was implemented in good faith by the club’s marketing department in recognition of the rivalry between the two clubs, which spans more than a century.”
The Roosters also pointed to the acknowledgement of Alex Johnston’s record-breaking try, which included a tribute on the big screen.
