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Wests Tigers second-rower Kyle Lovett has been charged with drug possession by the NSW police, according to a statement released by the club.
The 23-year-old was allegedly caught with a party drug in the early hours of December 23 last year, but the Tigers were only informed today.
While the club statement says Lovett told them of the matter, The Sunday Telegraph are reporting that they broke the news of his charges to the joint-venture.
Lovett is set to face court next month.
Having made his NRL debut for the Tigers in Round 1 of 2015, Lovett has been a regular for the side ever since, playing 43 career matches to date. He was named the Tigers’ Rookie of the Year in 2015.
He also made a start to his representative career in 2016, playing for City in the annual City vs Country Origin match.
While contracted until the end of the 2017 season, there is talk that the Tigers told Lovett mid-way through last season that he was free to seek opportunities with other clubs, as they sought to alleviate salary cap pressure.
And though he was named to feature at next month’s Auckland Nines tournament for the Tigers, Lovett’s presence in New Zealand is now in obvious jeopardy.
Wests Tigers released a statement on the matter of Lovett’s charges today, expressing their disappointment with his conduct.
Wests Tigers statement on Kyle Lovett, 21 January 2017
Wests Tigers have today been made aware that a player has been charged by the NSW Police for drug possession.Kyle Lovett was charged with possession of a small quantity of a prohibited substance on 23 December, 2016 and will face court on 1 February, 2017.
Wests Tigers Club officials were only made aware of the matter by Lovett today.
Upon learning of Lovett’s charge Wests Tigers immediately alerted the NRL Integrity Unity this morning and the two parties are currently working together on the matter.
Wests Tigers are incredibly disappointed with Lovett and do not in any way condone his behaviour.
Wests Tigers ensure that all players and staff receive the highest level of education in relation to drugs. The Club takes the welfare and education of its players and very seriously with the Wests Tigers Wellbeing and Education department ranked second in the NRL in 2016.
Wests Tigers will be making no further comment until the matter is resolved, both with the NSW Police and the NRL Integrity Unit.
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