The NSW rugby league coach Ricky Stuart says if Todd Carney is sacked by the Sydney Roosters, rival NRL clubs shouldn't be allowed to pounce.
An announcement on Carney's immediate playing future will be made today after he was caught drinking on the weekend despite earlier promises he wouldn't consume alcohol.
Strong action is expected to be taken against the serial offender, who was sacked by Canberra in 2008 and threw his career into jeopardy again a few weeks ago when he was arrested for drink driving and put on a strict rehabilitation plan.
Stuart says the Roosters chairman Nick Politis would be "heartbroken" at Carney's latest breach of trust.
The former Cronulla and now Origin coach was in charge of the Sharks when Greg Bird and Brett Seymour were sacked for misbehaviour, only to eventually be allowed to play for rival clubs the Gold Coast and Warriors respectively.
Stuart says the Roosters shouldn't be punished for Carney's mistakes and says the 24-year-old has put himself in a position where the Roosters don't have a lot of room to move.
