Rugby league goes through a dark phase as new information emerges.
The NRL said it is keen to get to the bottom of the latest violence against women case involving one of its players, as Ben Te’o and South Sydney go into damage control.
Allegations emerged this week from a Brisbane woman the former Bronco hit her and broke her eye socket in an assault which was meant to have occurred last month.
Te’o had denied the allegations and the club said will not stand him down as the drama continues to swirl around the league.
NRL chief operating officer Jim Doyle said the competition is keen to dispel the notion that the game tolerates violence against women.
Te’o’s case is the second high-profile case in recent times after Robert Lui was convicted of assaulting his then pregnant girlfriend.
Doyle said they will leave no stone unturned to ensure the integrity of the game is maintained.
“If you want to change the culture and you sweep things like this under the carpet you will never change anything,” Doyle said.
“We have to do any investigations and we have to do it properly.
“We have to get the facts and based on the facts take if from there.
“He (Te’o) has provided the facts from his point of view. The other people as it happens will provide the facts from their point of view and we will work from there.
“Obviously this is why we put together the integrity unit. At the moment we are talking about something we don’t know the facts about. And we are going through the procedures and doing what we need to do to get to the bottom of it. Rather than keep everything open we have to get to the facts and take it from there.”
However, the fact the Rabbtiohs did not tell the NRL for a month of the issue has irked thee ruling body, and it remains to be seen if CEO David Smith will impose any sanctions on Souths themselves for withholding information.
COMMENTS