The NRL decided not to sanction the PNG Chiefs for a possible breach of anti-tampering regulations after a board member stated that Nathan Cleary's signing would "stop the whole nation."
This year, new strict rules were established, prohibiting clubs from pursuing players through public comments unless they are in the last year of their contracts.
The NRL-owned Perth Bears were the first to be penalized under these guidelines, receiving a $40,000 fine in June due to coach Mal Meninga's remarks about his interest in Cleary and Bulldogs players Matt Burton and Jacob Preston.
It has now come to light that the Chiefs, also overseen by the NRL, were cautioned but avoided penalties for remarks made by PNG director and former Kumuls star Marcus Bai regarding Cleary and his partner, Matildas player Mary Fowler.