In a major overhaul of the sport's internal operations, the RFL has created the posts of disciplinary commissioner and disciplinary investigator.
Both positions are independent of the existing RFL executive management team. Their roles, says the RFL, are designed to ensure that both match day and administrative conduct and compliance 'remains at the highest possible level'.
The unit will deal with match related disciplinary and legal matters while, at the same time, they will have responsibility for maintaining probity and good working practices within the whole sphere of off-field operations throughout the game.
The creation of the unit does not affect the existing RFL disciplinary committee that will continue to deal with dismissals, referrals and citing of players.
The disciplinary commissioner will be Norman Sarsfield, who has recently retired after a 32-year career as a solicitor and special casework lawyer with the Crown Prosecution Service in West Yorkshire.
The newly appointed disciplinary investigator is Gary Haigh - a former detective superintendent who served 33-years with West Yorkshire police.
Said Richard Lewis, executive chairman of the RFL: "The compliance and investigation unit will perform an important function and, most importantly, will give the sport a more independent scrutinising body with an appropriate and very high level of experience. It will aim to maintain the highest standards of conduct and probity within the sport.
"The decision to put the unit in place was approved unanimously by the Rugby League Council in January 2003."
