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The NRL has released a statement saying the investigation into the incident involving South Sydney players Luke Burgess and John Sutton would be re-opened, after the NRL Integrity Unit received new information.
The alleged incident involved Rabbitohs players, Sutton and Burgess at a late-night venue in Arizona in the United States, and there have been reports of intoxication and a bloodied bouncer.
There have also been mugshots of both Sutton and Burgess circulating in the media, along with the two players being reported as being handcuffed outside the venue after the incident.
Fairfax reported that both players had been charged with “disorderly conduct, fighting”, before having the charges dropped later.
Flagstaff police have released a statement about the incident, which details some of the events.
“[Sutton] was asked to leave the bar,” the statement said.
“After being asked to leave, he slammed his fist on the bar and said something to the effect of ‘f— this’ and began telling bar staff to come outside with him.”
Fairfax also published material from supplementary police reports which suggest that Sutton may have spat on and intimidated bar staff at Monsoons Chinese Bistro and Sushi in Arizona, where they were staying for altitude training.
Patrick Scuggs, a 21-year-old security guard from Arizona, was reportedly left bloodied after the incident.
“Patrick stated that the other male subject [Burgess], wearing a white shirt then started pushing him and took him to the ground and began fighting,” a supplementary police report said.
“Patrick stated that he put his male subject in a ‘head lock’. Patrick stated that he was hit during the altercation and had a big bruised cut on his right forehead.”
A supplementary police report from the officer arriving at the scene, published by Fairfax, said that Sutton and Burgess smelled of alcohol.
“Upon arrival I observed a white male wearing a Monsoons t-shirt bleeding from his head and pointing towards to (sic) male subjects standing in the street.
“I exited my patrol vehicle and was immediately told by several people the two males standing in the street had been causing problems inside the bar. Due to the information I had at the time, I detained both males into handcuffs and secured [their hands] behind their back and instructed them to sit on the curb.
“I spoke with John and Luke, both of whom had bloodshot red watery eyes and smelled strongly of intoxicating beverage. Both males were adamant they had done nothing wrong and kept asking why they had been detained.
“It should be noted that John Sutton had no photo identification and stated he is an Australian citizen.”
John Sutton was dropped as South Sydney captain in favour of Greg Inglis for the 2015 season.
The full statement from the NRL reads as follows.
The NRL Integrity Unit said today it has re-opened its investigation into an incident involving two South Sydney players in the United States late last year.
A spokesman said the Integrity Unity had received new information which will be investigated.
There will be no further comment until the investigation has been completed.
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