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.
Jasper
Guest
So we're now saying that a NRL club and the NRL are supposed to fess up if one of their players reaches a private financial arrangement with someone & doesn't tell the club or rhe NRL? Is that what the NRL media hacks are concluding?
Slartibartfast
Guest
There was no fire till Phil wrote about it. 2 footballers got drunk in a bar. Phil came along now it variously quoted as Arizonagate, an atrocity, a vicious violent attack, a coverup, a scandal. The truth is 2 footballers got drunk in a bar. But wait Phil will save the game he will demand answers he will get to the bottom of it. Because " Phil Rothfield the most feared sports writer in the business" to the rescue. Queue the music.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Sutton and Burgess lit this fire not Rothfield.
Tiger
Guest
Isn't it Inglis..the girlfriend puncher?
Slartibartfast
Guest
News Ltd, and Phil Rothfield are like a psychotic volunteer fireman. Running around starting fires then running around putting them out and then claiming to be the hero. Pathetic.
BigAl
Guest
An integrity Unit is the new Mission Statement
up up cronulla
Guest
If it was the sharks well we all know if it was the sharks lol
Jack
Guest
I hear Burgess released a statement on this: http://thefaultreport.com.au/2015/02/10/luke-burgess-denies-tackling-anyone-ever/
Big Marn - Not DB
Guest
Of course Rusty negotiated the settlement. 6 figures as said on James Bracey show. As if Souths would pay that. But seeing Crowe for years I would not be surprised if he made young Burgess "pay" to teach him a lesson but he (Crowe) oversaw the deal to keep him out of jail. How else do you get out of assault charges and lying to a Police officer (not showing I.D) in the USA when you are a foreigner without having great influence from someone who has pull in the USA? Crowe would have more influence & contacts in the USA than the Rabbitohs would.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Spitting, swearing, threatening bouncers -just another night on the 'bra.
Pomeroy007
Roar Rookie
Look it's plain and simple that the NRL again has caved in due to media pressure, it was originally reported that everything was kosher with the integrity unit now that the Aussie press has got hold of it vision being shown on TV of their arrests it's now a media circus! In my view the NRL trying to look good to the media and re open things just to shut the media up. Time will tell if anything actually happens, personally I don't think so.
Rabbit Toe
Guest
What did Sutton do? Nothing. They decided he was too drunk and he wasn't happy about it. Then that Manly boofhead went and hit someone. Losing the captaincy and the internal fine should be enough for Sutton. Burgess on the other hand..... -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Christo the Daddyo
Guest
As usual, it's the coverup that's the worst aspect of these things. You'd think these muppets would learn by now, but no... Richardson should probably resign, but almost certainly won't. And as for the NRL's integrity unit - the quicker that's disbanded the better. A complete embarrassment.
swamprat
Roar Pro
Memo to self. don't leave bar smelling of alcohol.
Off The Bench
Guest
It's the token NRL stuff up story that comes out every year prior to the season commencing. I don't think the NRL has nominated a 'face of the game' this year after the debacles of the last few years...unless of course Robbie Williams is the new 'face of the game'??!! I hope the integrity unit is looking into the integrity of the NRL officialdom and administrators too.
Mike from Tari
Guest
I agree that Murdoch press is all over it, newspapers, Foxtel & websites & oh, 68% owner of the Broncos, Hooper saying Sutton should be dropped as Captain, he should be suspended, I am getting sick of these" holier than thou" reporters, the way they carry on is like Sutton, Burgess & Souths stole the chocolates from the press by not including reporters in the report to the NRL. Now the NRL has reopened the case Richardson should tell them to stick the job up their ¥€£> and go to the AFL, Union or Soccer & white ant Smith & the ARLC.
Casper
Guest
Can someone link Greg Inglis to the incident, give him 1 game for being Sutton's captain/room mate/taxi occupant/anything. (just a coincidence they're playing the broncos in round 1)
Casper
Guest
It will end up pulling them together. poor John Sutton getting hounded by the media, no charges laid - they'll make him the victim. Wonder how much it cost to drop the charges, Russell Crowe has some experience with blowing up in the USA, maybe he's been mentoring the boys? was there any mention of throwing a phone
Walter Penninger
Roar Guru
Bill I think the a trip to the US is warranted to sort this out to let the issue linger for at least 3 or 4 months.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Agree Brendan, as you rightly pointed out, the Rabbits started poorly last year and it turned out pretty well !