By Liam FitzGibbon
August 28th 2008 @ 1:36am
Sharks still want to hear Bird’s story
Cronulla say they are still waiting to hear from Greg Bird about the events that led to the Test star being stood down indefinitely from the NRL club.
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Bird has been charged with inflicting grievous bodily harm on his girlfriend, Katie Milligan, and is due to appear in court again on October 8.
The NSW and Test star contacted the club after the alleged incident on Sunday but chief executive Tony Zappia admitted “a reasonably different” version of events was heard in court yesterday.
Zappia said today the club still wanted to meet with Bird and his manager Gavin Orr to discuss the incident.
“There’s intentions to meet with Greg and his management company, yes,” Zappia said.
“We’ve extended an invitation, it’s just a case of confirmation as to when and where.
“Obviously he’ll be getting some legal advice, it’s just a case of when there is a stage that things have settled down I assume, so we’re just waiting on that.
“It’s just a case of finding out what did occur.”
Asked whether he was disappointed in Bird’s lack of communication with the club so far, Zappia said: “I’ll make no comment on that.”
Bird’s career hangs in the balance, with reports he will be sacked by the Sharks regardless of the findings.
He faces a possible jail term if convicted.
Zappia did not want to get into reports Bird’s career with the Sharks was finished.
“It’s not a decision for me,” Zappia said.
“I won’t be making the decision alone, it’s a full club decision.”
The club today removed Bird’s player profile from its official website.
Meanwhile, police are reportedly investigating a possible breach of Bird’s bail conditions following a visit by Orr to the lock’s injured girlfriend in hospital yesterday afternoon.
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(3)
sheek said | August 28th 2008 @ 10:43am | Report comment
Good article by Paul Kent in yesterday’s (Wednesday) Daily Tele (inside back page). Basically, us fans expect our sporting stars to be cleaner than clean.
Or more precisely, we’re fed up with past cover-ups & cop-outs. Greg Bird may be innocent, but with his previous track record, that might also be a long straw. He may also be paying the price of past history with other players.
Clubs will go to extraordinary lengths to protect their investments (players). So much so that the general public has developed a zero tolerance.
If all the recent stories about Bird are proven, then he’s nothing but scum. Hitting a woman & shifting the blame to a mate. They are two of the greatest male code violations you can break. Make that society code vilations. Not to mention the rampant lying.
But hey, I acknowledge I’m not perfect either. But I wouldn’t ever hit my wife or daughter; or try to sink a mate. And I usually accept responsibility for my actions.
Recidivist said | August 28th 2008 @ 11:00am | Report comment
sheek, well put.
rachid said | August 29th 2008 @ 8:12pm | Report comment
i couldn’t agree more but it would be nice to hear his version of events.
r