The Australian Rugby Agent Accreditation Board (Board) advises that player agent, Mr Riccardo Betti, has had his accreditation under the Australian Rugby Player Agent Accreditation Scheme (Scheme) revoked by the Board effective from 23 September 2022.
In accordance with the Australian Rugby Player Agent Regulations (Regulations), Mr Betti referred the decision to an Independent Appeals Tribunal (Tribunal).
Mr Betti appealed the Board's decision on three grounds:
- there was an error of law;
- the determination or decision was unreasonable or insupportable having regard to the evidence on which it was based; and/or
- the penalty imposed was manifestly excessive or plainly unjust.
On 15 May 2023, the Tribunal delivered their decision regarding Mr Betti’s appeal.
The Tribunal dismissed Mr Betti’s appeal on grounds that there was an error of law, and the ground that the decision was unreasonable or insupportable having regard to the evidence on which it was based.
In dismissing the appeal on the second ground, the Tribunal observed the Board’s decision concerning each of the allegations found to be substantiated was rational, logical, reasonable and supported by the evidence before it.
The Tribunal determined that Mr Betti’s accreditation should be revoked for a period of 12 months commencing on 23 September 2022, the date at which Mr Betti’s accreditation was revoked by the Australian Rugby Agent Accreditation Board. At the expiration of the 12-month period, Mr Betti will be required to apply for his accreditation in accordance with the Regulations.
This means Mr Betti does not currently hold accreditation under the Scheme and therefore not entitled to engage in activities governed by the Regulations, including the procurement and negotiation of Australian Rugby Player Contracts and other related arrangements for Players.
The decision to revoke Mr Betti’s accreditation was made by the Board following an investigation into complaints regarding Mr Betti’s conduct under the Scheme. The investigation found that Mr Betti had engaged in conduct which breached the Player Agent Accreditation Code of Conduct, the Regulations, and failed to meet the standard of conduct required for maintaining accreditation under the Regulations.
We recommend players contact the Rugby Union Players Association (RUPA) if they have any questions or would like to discuss the terms of their Standard Player Agent Agreement. To contact RUPA, please contact Alex Grygiel at AGrygiel@rupa.com.au.
