Where is Semi Radradra? And will he be taking the field against Cronulla this weekend?
At this stage, it’s looking like a yes despite all the hurdles he’s facing.
We’ve been following the progress of the Eels’ winger since he arrived into Sydney Airport late last night, where he was arrested by police and taken to Mascot Police Station.
There he was said to answer some questions about accusations of domestic violence from a former partner, before being released. He was charged with assault causing actual bodily harm, and two counts of common assault domestic violence.
The question was then whether he would appear at Eels training, and what do you know, he was there alright.
Yes that's him. Semi is finally at @TheParraEels training. pic.twitter.com/TP3uWwFpRJ
— Adam Hawse (@AdamHawse) June 30, 2016
Not only that, be he’s reportedly confident that he’ll be playing for the Eels against Cronulla this weekend, despite not having been at training all week.
Semi Radradra has told players and coach he intends to play against Cronulla on Saturday. Snuck into training during Brad Arthur's media opp
— Michael Chammas (@MichaelChammas) June 30, 2016
Chammas goes onto report in the Herald that Radradra was snuck into training, presumably to avoid any unwanted media attention.
Apparently Jarryd Hayne also thinks Semi will play, and he was on the same flight as him on the way home.
Eels coach Brad Arthur said he hadn’t spoken to Semi, and wasn’t sure whether he would have to stand down for tomorrow’s game.
“I don’t know a lot about it. It’s happened really quickly. I tried to put in a call this morning and I’m not sure where it’s at,” Arthur said.
The Parramatta Eels are standing by Radradra, saying he should be afforded the presumption of innocence. They released a statement this morning:
“This is a serious matter and the club is treating it as such.
“In accordance with our club’s values, Semi will be afforded the presumption of innocence, and we will continue to provide him and his family with all the support and welfare services we have available.
“The club will work closely with the relevant authorities and be open with the NRL Integrity Unit throughout this process.
“The Eels remain committed to promoting education, counselling and support around the issue of family violence, both publicly and within the Eels organisation.
“The club will not be making any further comment about this matter.”
It seems they won’t be standing the winger down any time soon.
We will update this article with Semi’s availabilty for the Sharks game as soon as more information comes to hand.
More:
» Trust me, Semi is definitely (maybe) coming back
» Assault accusations levelled at Radradra
» ‘Club in crisis’ doesn’t go close to describing Parramatta
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He was born 1905, 1904 or 1908 according to various reports, in Wairoa, Hawkes Bay, and is remembered as one of the great Māori players.
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