After failing to appear in court, Parramatta Eels winger Semi Radradra could have an arrest warrant issued against him unless further evidence is brought forward.
The 24-year-old was expected to appear in court to answer charges regarding his domestic violence case but left Australia to fly to Fiji to be with his sick father last week.
Radradra was accused of multiple domestic violence charges and his NRL career could now be in jeopardy now that he’s missed the court date, which had been decided in September and recently confirmed.
He has already pleaded not guilty to causing domestic violence-related bodily harm and two counts of domestic violence-related common assault on Perina Ting in December 2014 and May 2015, however missing court does not bode well for the winger.
Radradra is contracted with the Eels until the end of the 2017 season but if any legal action is taken it could severely impact his ties with the club and future contracts with other teams should he be released.
Magistrate Greg Grogin said the medical certificate provided, which stated his father was suffering from asthma and pulmonary tuberculosis, was an unsatisfactory reason for missing the court date.
Radradra could avoid the arrest warrant if his lawyer brings forward a more compelling reason for his absence by November 30.
But according to Andrew Koubaridis of news.com.au, the arrest warrant has already been issued and bail had been revoked by Grogin as he “couldn’t find a reasonable excuse” for the player not to attend the hearing.
The warrant won’t be released until Wednesday and Radradra’s legal team will have until then to prove that his father’s condition had deteriorated so quickly.
A letter from Radradra’s father’s doctor was also allegedly handed to Magistrate Grogin however he said that there was “nothing in it to justify his sudden departure of Australia”.
But Magistrate Grogin also doubted how quickly his father’s condition had deteriorated and whether Radradra was right to miss the hearing.
“Is there any evidence this emergency was so compelling that he had to leave at such short notice?”
Magistrate Tim Keady also questioned Radradra’s reasoning for missing his court hearing.
He said, “you understand that’s not very convincing.”
“This tells me nothing other than his father suffers what appears to be a long-term illness… There is nothing in it to indicate any reason for non-attendance. Certainly nothing that could justify a sudden departure from Australia in the manner that occurred.”
Radradra was also denied the opportunity to represent Australia at the Four Nations as NRL CEO Todd Greenburg urged him to deal with the matter without interference.
“We don’t want either him or the team to be distracted by this matter and have decided he will not be eligible for selection on this occasion.”
The hearing will now be held in February, a month before the start of the NRL season where the Eels travel to Brookvale Oval to face Manly.
Update:
Club Chief Executive Bernie Gurr has made a statement regarding the issue of Radradra missing the court hearing.
“The Parramatta National Rugby League Club was informed by Semi Radradra last Wednesday that it was his understanding from family, including his mother, that his father was gravely ill.
“In consultation with his legal team and Semi’s management, the Club granted Semi compassionate leave to return home to Fiji. This was granted on the provision that Semi and his management complied with any requirements from the court.
“The Club understands the stress a family illness can provide and at all times we are considerate of the welfare of both Semi and his family.
“On Friday 25 November 2016 the court confirmed that the hearing would proceed on Monday 28 November and that, subject to the delivery of supporting documentation around the seriousness of the illness of Semi’s father, that Semi was obligated to appear in court.
“Our Club supported this reasonable position of the court.
“With today’s court ruling whereby Semi has been issued with a warrant, suspended until Wednesday 30 November 2016, we continue to work with Semi’s manager to ensure Semi is in compliance with all future court requests.”
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