Former NRL great Hazem El Masri has been charged with serious domestic violence resulting from an incident at his Western Sydney home on Monday evening.
The former Canterbury Bulldogs winger was charged with ‘assault occasioning actual bodily harm’ and ‘common assault’.
A spokesperson for NSW Police stated that the the charges “relate to an incident at his home at about 7.30pm yesterday [Monday] allegedly involving his 25-year-old wife”.
It is understood that an Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) application has been lodged in the interest of protecting El Masri’s wife, Douah El-Cherif.
El-Cherif is not believed to have required any serious medical treatment following the incident.
El Masri, who was an ambassador for White Ribbon, an Australian organisation that campaigns to end violence against women, has been stood down from his role with the anti-violence organisation and also from his place as an NRL ambassador.
In the wake of the news breaking, White Ribbon released the following statement:
“White Ribbon is very disappointed to learn of the charges laid against former Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs player and former White Ribbon Ambassador Hasem El-Masri.
“White Ribbon advises that Hasem El-Masri is not currently a White Ribbon Ambassador and as always, White Ribbon will provide no further comment on a case before the courts.”
Bulldogs chief executive Raelene Castle also released a statement on Tuesday afternoon:
“As a Club we are committed to our work with White Ribbon Australia to eliminate violence against women and firmly believe there is no place for it in our society.
“Counselling and support services have been offered to all those involved in this matter.
“As with any police charge, Hazem will work through the process of the Australian legal system and his engagement as a Bulldogs Ambassador is suspended until those proceedings are complete.”
El Masri played 317 games for the Bulldogs between 1996 and 2009, finishing his career with a premiership (2004) and the record for highest-ever points scorer (2418).
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