Accused NRL clubs to know within 24 hours NRL clubs will know within 24 hours whether they are among the six being investigated over allegations of using performance enhancing drugs - and it will be up to them to decide whether they go public. The NRL expects to have a framework established by tomorrow so clubs can be fed intelligence information gathered by the Australian Crime Commission, mainly through telephone taps. The pressure on the NRL became almost intolerable yesterday as the AFL publicly announced it had identified only two cases of possible use of performance-enhancing drugs: a group of players at Essendon, who might have unknowingly taken banned substances, and one other player at a second unnamed club. That turned the spotlight back on the NRL and it was seen to be more secretive with whatever information it had been supplied by either the ACC or ASADA (the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority). It prompted one club boss, Cronulla's Damian Irvine, to break ranks and urge the league to act quickly so the game could start to rid itself of the drugs scourge. "In my mind, and particularly with the AFL's move today in letting more detail out, there's no doubt within the NRL clubs there's a feeling that as soon as we can get the detail of the problem then the better," Irvine said. It's common sense and a pretty strong feeling among everyone I've spoken to. A statement late yesterday from the NRL said that even when the ACC information became available, it would not "out" the clubs. That decision would be left to the clubs individually. "Once this information is passed on, the NRL will not, under the guidelines outlined by the ACC, be able to identify the clubs publicly," NRL chief executive Dave Smith said. The NRL sent an email to all 16 clubs yesterday, urging them to be patient and saying that more information would be given as soon as legally possible. Four clubs, Manly, Penrith, Newcastle and Cronulla, had audit consultancy Deloitte come in last week to examine club records. Irvine said yesterday the Sharks co-operated fully with Deloitte auditors. "We absolutely welcome any investigation," he said. We're very confident in our people and our practices. If shown something that we don't know about, then we'd welcome that too. The figure of six clubs came to light yesterday and was virtually confirmed by federal Justice Minister Jason Clare, who told the ABC Insiders program that the ACC's report centred on the NRL. On Saturday, the NRL and ASADA established a specific rugby league "help line" where any player, official or consultant - past or present - could provide information on any anti-doping issue. They could talk to an ASADA intelligence manager confidentially. Clare said yesterday several athletes had come forward since the ACC released its findings last Thursday in Canberra about its year-long investigation, but he did not specify in which sport. NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell called on the NRL to name the clubs. Smith confirmed the ACC focus remained on the NRL, but its hands were tied. "While acknowledging media speculation about the number of clubs today, the NRL remains bound by strict legal constraints and these have been reinforced today by both the ACC and Justice Minister Jason Clare," he said. The NRL accepts there are frustrations for players, clubs and fans; however, the significance of these matters demands they are dealt with through a proper process.