The PNG Chiefs, the NRL's newest team set to join as the 19th franchise in 2028, have received a warning following comments from club director Marcus Bai about Nathan Cleary of the Penrith Panthers.
This caution from the NRL comes after the Perth Bears faced a $40,000 fine for a similar violation.
Bai's remarks, made in March, were shared again by News Corp this week, reigniting interest in his statements.
"I would love to see Nathan Cleary playing for PNG," Bai told News Corp.
He added, "When locals here talk about Nathan Cleary, the people say he is the brother-in-law … everyone is claiming Nathan Cleary because his girlfriend has PNG heritage."
Bai continued, "If Nathan Cleary turned up at the airport, he wouldn't get out the doors; he would be leaving in a car with the prime minister."
He concluded, "I can tell you now, if Nathan Cleary signs for PNG, it will stop the whole nation."
This matter falls under the NRL's updated anti-tampering rules, which were enforced on February 1, 2023.
The revised regulations ban "certain public and private statements that could be seen as attempts to lure or entice a player to join another club."