Surprise, Surprise, Another Sex Scandal in the NRL

[Beaussie]

NRL must clean up: Carr
February 21, 2005
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,86 ... 14,00.html


NRL players and officials needed to clean up their image after the latest sex scandal involving players from the Newcastle Knights, New South Wales Premier Bob Carr said today.

The NRL club has reportedly launched an investigation after a player was accused of breaking into a university dorm and putting his hands down a woman's pants during an alcohol-fuelled rampage with teammates.

Mr Carr today said it was up to the club to assess the alleged incident in Bathurst.

"I'll leave it to them to assess whether this was a serious incident, whether it is as it's been reported," he said.

"I'm keen to see rugby league clean up its image, and I think the leaders of rugby league have done the right thing in lifting the tone in the activities surrounding the game."

There was more work to be done, he said.

"But, clearly they accept that there is an onus on the game ... on the players to clean up its image in respect to these sorts of things."

What a disgraceful code. The administration clearly has no chance of ever cleaning up the image of the game in the community.

[Dizzys_on_fire]

Before I give my thoughts, I must disagree with you Beaussie for pointing the finger singularly at Rugby League. Problems with behaviour and drunkeness are equally apparent in all forms of football, and sport in general for that matter. This shouldn't be a case of "your code's a disgrace" and so on, but to continue to try and find better means to weed out the couple of clowns in every crowd that lower the reputations of the vast majority of sports people who are decent human beings and can handle themselves in the appropriate manner when out in public as a team.

Now on to the issue at hand.

The players, fans and sponsers of the Newcastle Knights, the Rugby League and general sporting community deserve a full investigation into this matter, minor incident or not, before we all decide to throw mud left, right and centre at all parties. And of course, any alleged victims thoroughly deserve a full investigation to firstly clear their names of any false claims, and secondly to recieve appropriate justice should these allegations be proven to be correct.

In the past twelve months there have been several well-documented behavioural issues involving NRL and AFL teams and players, and to this point all have been dissmissed as allegations. But even though this incident has been reported to be a minor case of inappropriate drunken behaviour, there should be a zero tolerance policy put in place - especially in the current climate.

The few idiots who drag everyone else's name through the mud should be delt with harshly, no matter how serious the incident. These idiots should know by now what the consequences are for even the most minor of incidents and what they can do to the image of the game they play in. If the are intent on showing such a lack of respect for their teammates, their club, their sport and of course anyone involved in their disorderly behaviour, then they should be promptly shown the door - f**k their contract, they don't deserve it.

I know the media tend to often blow these sorts of things out of proportion when it comes to sportspeople, and that minor incidents occur every day in society, but under the current climate, these professionals should know that being responsible in public comes with the territory now, and that they must be strictly responsible.

They've had time to learn, and they should now know their responsibilites as sporting professionals.

To the few idiots who persist to be idiots - get the f**k out of our games.

[MG]

dizzysonfire, i must say that i have to disagree with you about it being in all sports. it seems to me that its mainly league players and spectators. the last 2 years have been an absolute disaster for them. i dont here anything about golf players goin crazee or even boxers have all night drinking sessions and touching up ladies. no i believe league do it all themselves with a few isolated incidents in other sports.

as beaussie has said in another thread, afl at least are open and transparent about their investigations. just wait and see what happens in this case there will be internal investigations before a final report is released and no public hearings or anything like that.

[Dizzys_on_fire]

Then we'll have to agree to disagree MG

The AFL last year had many off-field incidents including rape allegations, cash payouts, players urinating on women, drink driving, speeding and the most discracful incident in my opinion where a player assaulted his wife whilst she was holding a child. Of course, many were alleged incidents, just like the NRL.

And let's not start on the situation with Soccer overseas.

However the way the governing bodies of domestic sports handle the situation is secondary to the nature of incidents that allegedly take place. This isn't a case of "we handled it better so we're better than you". These are real incidents that happen to real people, its not about point scoring between sports.

Anyway, news is that fines have been handed out to players and the Knights managment have further penalties and meetings in store. There will be no police investigation into the drunken misbehaviour.


Time for zero tolerence, some of these idiots cant handle their grog.

[crocodileman]

There will be no police investigation into the drunken misbehaviour.

That's not what was said on the Channel 7 news tonight - the Chief Inspector at Bathurst called on any person who had information to come forward and the intention was that a full police investigation will take place. My bet is that there will be several charges laid against at least 2 players.

Let's wait and see.

[Dizzys_on_fire]

Good to see the Knights take swift action against the morons involved.

Fines were handed out to players involved, but the player who was involved in the central incident that was reported has been sacked ie. his contract terminated and he will not be allowed to register with any NRL club for at least 12 months.

Crocodileman, you may be right, as what I heard was mentioned earlier in the day. The idiot who was sacked should come under external investigation IMO due to the nature of the allegation against him.

[Beaussie]

Latest off-field scandal rocks NRL
February 22, 2005 - 6:19AM
http://www.smh.com.au/news/Breaking-New ... 53948.html


Surely rugby league players can't be this stupid.

For the fourth pre-season in a row the NRL is in the midst of an off-field scandal, this time involving players from the Newcastle Knights.

In 2004 - almost a year ago to the day - it was the Bulldogs in Coffs Harbour, a sex scandal that shook the game to its very foundation.

Rugby league's image took a battering despite no players being charged.

The NRL responded by putting in a raft of measures to stop a repeat of that fiasco.

University of Sydney Associate Professor Catharine Lumby was appointed as a specialist adviser to the game.

Players underwent courses to improve their attitudes towards women and club chief executives approved a $1 million commitment to more education and welfare opportunities.

The NRL board also broke new ground by appointing its first female member - successful businesswoman Katie Page.

The Bulldogs were hit in the hip pocket as well.

The club was fined $500,000 - $350,000 suspended - over events surrounding the Coffs Harbour scandal.

It was a warning to clubs to keep their players on a tighter leash.

At the time, NRL chief executive David Gallop said only player education would ensure a football scandal never occurred again.

"The vast majority of our players have done the right thing and you have to accept that the spotlight is on our game," he said.

"There's going to be extra scrutiny for some time, but I'm confident we are going to step up the challenge in that regard."

Remarkably, the NRL's image makers were able to rescue the game.

Rugby league finished 2004 in a position of strength, with officials, players and fans looking ahead to a new season.

Until now.

Suddenly Gallop and co are back to square one thanks to the stupidity of a handful of players from one of league's most popular clubs.

The Knights have long held a reputation as a club boasting an array of talented players.

Those same players are also well known for their enjoyment of life off the field.

This time they've gone too far.

The details are sketchy. But of some things there is no doubt.

The players responsible were warned about their behaviour on the way to Bathurst.

A curfew was in place.

The guilty parties deceived club officials by going out after curfew.

Why they would do that after the events of recent seasons is anyone's guess.

The club fined 12 players, including acting captain Kurt Gidley, a total of $50,000 for breaking the curfew and club rules.

"... Our actions were unacceptable," Gidley said.

"We have breached our own code of conduct, the trust of our club and the supporters. We are committed now towards working hard to rebuild that trust."

It couldn't come at a worse time for the Knights.

This week was supposed to be a celebration - the lead-up to the return of talisman Andrew Johns from a knee injury.

Instead it will now be dominated by unsavoury details of a night of madness in Bathurst.

The club's perennially-challenged finances could also take a hit.

Newcastle, without the support of a leagues club, fights a yearly battle to make ends meet.

As of Monday, it was the only club in the NRL without a major sponsor.

It's understood Newcastle had reached a verbal agreement with a prospective benefactor.

That deal could now be in jeopardy.

All in all, it's an ugly situation for the club and the game, and one which could make the NRL think twice about having a pre-season in 2006.

Fair dinkum, the players in question were warned before hand and yet still they choose to break the rules, captain included.

As the article above suggests, its back to square one for the NRL as they try once again, to repair the damage done to the image of the game.

4 pre-seasons in a row now. Rugby league players really must be stupid.

Things certainly don't look good for the NRL or Newcastle once again this year. So much for the player's education campaigns last year implemented after the Bulldogs scandal.

[Grim Reaper]

You cannot teach NRL Boofheads anything.....they are over-rated idiots who cannot accept responsibility for their behaviour. They have to get a education program done on how to treat women....hello!

These dickheads are the creation of the stupid Sydney media who put them up on pedestals as heros!...What a joke.

[King-Eliagh]

Dizzy you have to be the most intelligent poster I've ever come across on the net. And that includes some highly notable names like madunit, EG and EA.

But seriously you are a man of much wisdom, one whom doesnt allow bias to enter the equation but looks at all issues objectively and at face value. I am disgusted reading some of the jargon filled biased crap some of our members continue to post.

I think you and me together could really do some good work. We could help these fools see the real picture. you know kindof like how Jesus helped the blind? Would you like to join Me...and god, in delivering confessions this Sunday? At present we have two promising confessors coming in who look like they might make it in the name of Eliagh. Crocman is confessing and I think BigTommy is coming in too. So hows about it?

[Grim Reaper]

Well there is no way you both will convert me.....as I am Death!