The NRL’s integrity unit has begun investigating Canterbury’s actions in relation to standing down troubled star Ben Barba earlier this season.
It follows a newspaper report that Barba, who will join Brisbane next season after being granted a release by the Bulldogs, was alleged to have punched a woman in the face the day before he was suspended.
An NRL statement announcing the investigation described as “deeply disturbing” a photo of a woman’s bleeding mouth published by the Sunday Telegraph.
The newspaper report claimed Brisbane-bound star Barba’s relationship with the club soured over an allegation he punched the woman early on February 24 and he has been on the outer with some players and officials since.
Then Bulldogs CEO Todd Greenberg – now NRL head of football – stood Barba down indefinitely on February 25, citing unspecified behavioural issues and the fullback subsequently spent two weeks in a rehabilitation centre and missed the first three rounds of the NRL season.
The newspaper claimed the woman had approached Greenberg and coach Des Hasler at Belmore Sports Ground and alleged Barba had hit her.
However, it said, the Bulldogs were adamant they handled the situation correctly, with the woman insisting she would not report the matter to police despite both Hasler and Greenberg urging her to do so.
The Bulldogs responded to Sunday’s report by asking the NRL integrity unit to investigate the story’s claims and the NRL was quick to launch its probe.
“Any suggestion of violence against women is abhorrent and has no place in rugby league,” the NRL said in a statement.
“At no stage has the NRL previously seen the image published today nor has it been aware of any injuries suffered as a result of physical abuse.
“Ben’s partner Ainslie Currie has consistently denied any media suggestion of physical abuse and continues to do so.”
Currie issued a statement to Fairfax Media through her lawyer denying being the victim of domestic violence during their relationship.
All parties vehemently denied the split was due to domestic violence at the time.
The head of the integrity unit, NRL chief operating officer Jim Doyle said: “We are not and have never been aware of a complaint in relation to Ben Barba.
“It is appropriate that an immediate review is conducted into the circumstances and that is already in train.”
The Sunday Telegraph alleged Bulldogs officials attempted to put the woman in a car and take her to police when she approached them.
“She allegedly asked whether or not Barba would be able to play football again if the matter was reported. When an official said `no’, the woman said the incident never took place.”
With the woman refusing to support the alleged claim, Bulldogs officials had reportedly been confident they took appropriate action, standing down Barba and having him agree to extensive rehabilitation and counselling.
Barba has admitted to having a severe gambling problem as well as issues with alcohol.
Last month Barba sought and was granted a release from the club, saying he wanted to remain near Currie and their two young daughters who were relocating to Queensland. He subsequently signed with the Brisbane club.
The newspaper said Greenberg had fully briefed new Bulldogs CEO Raelene Castle on the alleged Barba incident before handing over the job.
And it said the club claimed Brisbane were also fully informed on Barba’s off-field history and the Bulldogs helped to pick the Broncos as Barba’s next club because they had a well-regarded welfare program that would continue his care.
Castle was quoted as saying: “The Canterbury Bulldogs are entirely comfortable with the actions we have taken and processes we have followed in relation to Ben Barba.”
Canterbury said it would offer comment once the integrity unit investigation was completed.
Brisbane, who withdrew an offer to Josh Dugan earlier this year after the controversial former Canberra fullback became involved in a spat with a fan on Twitter, refused to comment on the report concerning their new signing when contacted.
Meanwhile, the NRL expressed concern for parties involved in the story.
“It is important in the meantime to consider that we are also talking about the lives of individuals and we must also remain highly alert to the physical and mental well-being of all concerned,” it said.
liquor box
Guest
for an assault a complaint needs to be made, for DV it is up to the police
Pest
Guest
I wanna know why oiks not dirty on the broncs , why for the last 6 months he's attacked a lot of clubs primarily Manly but on this issue he's gone quiet and soft , a bit hypocritical wouldn't you agree Oik
Renegade
Guest
Now that it's a QLD club we should wait for the facts rather than believe the daily telegraph.... haha gotta laugh. At least you QLDers are catching up with how the real world works...
john badseed
Guest
i hear they're bringing Hoppa in to head up the probing
jason barlow
Roar Rookie
He wasn't charged because the victim has to make a police statement. It is interesting that, according to the reports: 1.the victim approached the Bulldogs administration with the allegations. She was advised by Hasler and Greenberg to go to the police. 2.she expressed that she didn't want the police involved, as she was concerned for the welfare of Barba and also for the potential adverse consequences to his football career. This indicates that the girl wasn't some football groupy or floozy looking to ruin him for a misdeed, but someone with some emotional ties to Barba. Given that Ainslie Currie is also the mother of his children, assuming she was the victim, she would probably also be worried about Barba being able to provide for his family, if his career was left in tatters. If there was a cover-up as is being suggested, this will generate a lot of legal, ethical and moral quandaries for the Bulldogs and the NRL itself. All I can say is that the public relations departments of the club and the code are going to be earning their money over the next 6 months, with this and the ASADA scandal ready to explode. But as time and countless scandals over the years have shown us, rugby league is a tough beast that is impossible to kill.
john badseed
Guest
who Gallen?
KC
Guest
This.
Rellum
Roar Guru
I understand how the law works, my question was about how much people knew about what went on? Did the Bulldogs do the right thing? Have the Broncos done the right thing? I have no opinion either way other that "IF" the guy does hit women regularly then I don't want him in the game, "IF" he doesn't then he needs his name cleared and be free to live his life. The modern world is trial by media with the accused needing to prove his innocence ( which I think is deeply wrong). I do question who released this to the media now, and what they are trying to gain from it. Maybe they have just found some more evidence, maybe they have an axe to grind.
V.O.R.
Guest
+1.... as the Fox Fans survey showed there is a perception by fans that the ASADA investigation has taken the shine off things...hanging over the game like a bad cloud. If they deal with cheats in half measures they will lose further support for the game.
Pot Stirrer
Guest
What upstanding Club the Broncos are, Wouldnt take Dugan becuase of a Twitter argument but welcome Barba ? Hypocrites of the highest order. Get rid of the Broncos and bring back the Crushers
symbolsoup
Guest
Silver: Probably why the Broncs only paid him $50k more than what parramatta offered Corey Norman this year. Seems like a pretty damn good deal to me.
oikee
Guest
I feel for the young players coming through, they are all now looking to see how past code hoppers and young players out of control are acting, so in five years time the message will simply be repeated. Our code has got to hire someone who can point out the damage this code are doing to themselves by the path they have chosen. You have to break the cycle, and to do that ,shut the front and back doors. Anyhow, another story for another time, as we all watch more and more players heading out the gate, maybe it might have to get to a point where this person with Smarts as Paul Kent has mentioned, enters the code to bring it back from the dead-end we are headed. I would black-list Gus Gould from Roosters games, i never even knew anyone else was playing yesterday, besides Sonny-Bill his hero and savour of our code, even though he is useing the code like a wet rag and 3 players have now left while he has been allowed back into our code. No business brings young Executives through, only to have those guys go to your opposition and then kick sand in your face, only for you then to welcome him back and pay him 5 times what you did before. What is wrong with that picture, plus you kicked out others to fit him back in, surely that picture does not sit right with you. You have never heard of a company doing that because they dont exist. They all went out of business. like the NRL is going to do if we keep travelling this dangerous path.
Pot Stirrer
Guest
Not wen that buisiness is reliant on media exposure. Its aready been stated that tv audiences are down 10%. I think the reson is peple are geting fed up with the constant drama in RL, Hows a code suppose to be interesting viewing when it is portrayed as beingfull of Mysogomist drunken hoods, and the footy shows are filled with ex players with dinosaur views.
Silver_Sovereign
Guest
Who cares about the facts? Barba will not win you premierships. A little man who has trouble under the high ball, cant tackle and butterfingers. The media focuses on all the highlights while not mentioning all the many flaws. Just like Benji
liquor box
Guest
Firstly you need evidence that can prove an offence and when it took place, a photo by itself proves nothing. I am not sure about NSW but if it was in QLD then the assault complaint for a relatively minor assault like this actually has to have someone complain.....but under QLD law the Police MUST act if there is a case of DV which this would be so there would be some action but Barber would only have to be on good behaviour in the future. The big issue is when this next occurs then he could be charged with breaking the conditions of the DV order and then actually get in trouble and possibly face jail.
liquor box
Guest
A great business is always willing to employ the best possible person for the job, if this person has a bad history BUT the benefits of employing them out weigh the negatives then a smart business will employ them. I don't see how in the current climate this is seen as such a big crime, the game has far bigger issues! From my perspective I would ban him for life if guilty, but this will never happen
Fran_Gipani
Guest
Innocent until/unless police decide its an assault. Then let the prosecution prove what you twits already "know". Whining blouses.
Chris Martin
Roar Rookie
Guys , it is not proven he has punched anyone yet. it is rumour only. Always will be unless the girl changes her statement.
oikee
Guest
And i made the point this code (NRL) has to act like a business and shut the door behind codehoppers, for good. You cant run a business the way the NRL is trying to run their's. it's not working and wrecking untold damage on the game and players still in the code. If i was employed by the NRL and i seen this happening, i would be looking elsewear as well. Our code is eating themselves alive by keeping open the front door and the back door. When is somebody going to wake up is my Question.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Why wasn't he charge with assault in the first place?