Cronulla captain Paul Gallen has angrily denied swearing at a 10-year-old after an NRL game three weeks ago and has welcomed his club’s promise to investigate the incident.
Reports emerged on Friday that the NSW captain allegedly said “F*** this, I haven’t got time for this s***” when a fan requested an autograph after a home match against North Queensland three weeks ago.
While Gallen said he couldn’t remember the specific situation, he was adamant he didn’t swear at a child.
“If at any stage I did inadvertently miss signing this particular kid’s card, I’m sorry for that,” Gallen said on Friday.
“But to suggest that I’ve told a 10-year-old boy, or any kid, to `F-off I don’t have time for this .. another word’, is just absolutely absurd and not true whatsoever.”
The veteran forward also refuted claims he was aggressive with the boy’s father when confronted after last week’s match against the Wests Tigers, and accused the dad of being antagonistic.
“(He) become quite confrontational to a point where a security guard actually stepped in, put his hand on the man and said, `Mate, it’s time to go home’,” Gallen recalled.
“And then I put the cards back on his chest. He grabbed it, he flicked it at me.
“To say that I turned around and give everyone the bird is another lie.”
Gallen, whose side visit Parramatta on Saturday, hinted at having a security detail in the future to accompany him to and from football grounds where he was playing.
“I won’t be getting out of my car and walking into any ground from now on without two security guards with me the whole time,” he said.
“Because to have to deal with this, for my family to go through what they’re going through today, for my friends at work to be going through what they’re going through, it’s not fair.”
Sharks CEO Lyall Gorman said the club would also review the level of security and access to its players pre and post-match.
“While they have to accept that they live in a fish bowl environment, our club has continually gone to great extremes to make our players available after a game but it might be now time to review our processes,” Gorman said.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Well Mick (I try to keep my personal life out of here), I've been on the receiving end,meaning having to seek legal advice and witnesses to prove my innocence in a court of law.On a minor matter as it turned out , I might add. Me as a non entity,could suggest someone who is in the public eye and believes he is totally innocent should be given the opportunity to do likewise.You appear to have found him guilty based on media guff,as if they don't get it wrong. I happen to, live in the area and am fully aware of his dealings on occasions since he arrived in the Shire.Perhaps i should live on the Broadbeach to gain a better insight. Of course they all do,just that some go out of their way to go ,over and above the call of duty.Didn't suggest otherwise. Last para,having seen him regularly sign autographs for kids before and after games,your last comment is flimsy. I repeat what I stated prior ,which you conveniently ignored ,if he is guilty he pays for it,if not those accusers should be exposed.Simple.
duecer
Guest
That's a pretty good summation, Mick. It looks pretty certain that he was responsible for the outburst, whether or not it was directed at the kid is a point I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, unfortunately for him, his reputation doth precede him.
Tim
Guest
1) father is a mate of News Ltd "journo". 2) News Ltd are trying to discredit the NRL because old Rupert is cranky at them. 3) Father posted positive comments and pics on Facebook after the game and the day after. Those have now been deleted. 4) Mother's email to CEO shows an inconsistent story. Something probably did happen, but I think people would be wise to keep those 4 points in mind.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
up up cronulla
Guest
The fathers a tigers supporter!!
JoM
Roar Rookie
On the 2KY sports show this morning Zorba was talking about a tweet from this father who has since been named elsewhere. This tweet and photos were talking about how the kids were asleep on the way back up the coast and what s fantastic night they had had. No mention of any drama. Has since been taken down. Zorba says there is a lot more to this story than has been told.
Paul Palmer
Roar Rookie
Three sides to most stories and in my view father should have let it go and Paul Gallen should be supported by club and NRL regardless of outcome. Why? Players are allowed to have a bad day out at the office and fans (young and old) need to understand that players are fatigued and at times grumpy. The father felt Paul Gallen could have done a lot better for his son , fair enough , but playing this sarga out in the public arena the damage is allready done to Paul Gallen for life. He deserved better.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
He has done some dumb things on the field,in the heat of the moment,that there is no doubt. I don't intend to defend him or anyone FTM who has done something wrong. And who among us at times or on the odd occasion,has either said something stupid or done something stupid ,not exactly PR ? The persona of the person off the field is totally different to that off the field,i.e. in society. He gives of his time to charity causes and and I have never heard prior to this " accusation" of him refusing to sign an autograph or have photo taken. with children. I will also reserve my judgement,but according to Gorman there are inconsistencies with the accuser's statements,and a securtity guard who was there apparently, is willing to provide evidence on Gallen's behalf. My thoughts if Gallen has said something as stated ,then he has to be prepared to take the rap.Conversely if it can be shown,this allegation is false,then media outlets such as the Telegraph and more specifically the journalist Crawley must make a public apology and donate money to a charity of Gallen's nomination. I am sick to death of journalism making accusations ,without having the intestinal fortitude of providing decent evidence from teh outset.
Al
Guest
Lol good call my friend!
Andy
Guest
None of us will ever know if he did it or not but the guy has form being a prick, a racist, a drug cheat and a dirty player. I'm a NSW fan and acknowledge he is a great footballer but let's not pretend he's a good guy. He's atypical of what this sport produces these days in terms of self awareness and common decency. Not really much.....
Justthetip
Guest
Phil Gould is a staunch blues man and also someone who has proven his smarts coaching origin. He stated before this years series Gallen should go. In QLD, if a lock started getting in the halves way at key moments, overplaying his hand and never having success with it he would be reined in. Gould's opinion wasn't a dig at Gallen to get more out of him, the blokes an absolute machine. Gould knows Gallens involvement is holding back the sides evolution. The numbers of games he's played for the Sharks in recent seasons is a joke. The Sharks resigning him when he's committed to origin is stupid. No players bigger than the club. The Sharks lack of success is due to weak decisions like this. The fifita's abusing officials and Gallen losing his temper with fans is no conspiracy. If Mick Ennis wasn't there they would be in terrible shape and Robbie Farah should look at Ennis not Gallen when deciding his future.
Michael
Guest
They have outdone most people's expectations coming back from a number of consecutive losses early in the season and have strong together a considerable amount of wins. Need I say more
DB
Guest
Relatively speaking, fifth is a success compared to fifteenth.
Captain Boofhead
Guest
There are those that think that Gal really isn't that good at footy either.
Captain Boofhead
Guest
You cannot be serious !
Christof
Guest
I love how Gallen is guilty until proven innocent. I'm a qlder and don't like Gallen but why not get the NRL integrity unit to look into it and then see what happens. The trend of journalists writing speculation pieces is becoming worrying to me. Investigate and if he did do it penalise him. If he didn't demand an apology from the paperor take them to court for defamation (very US i know).
no one in particular
Roar Guru
recent success?
DB
Guest
That's a bit rough.
Jackson Henry
Roar Guru
Exactly right Particular. Funny how Rugby League politics makes for strange bedfellows.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
I'll reserve judgement (because I'm sure Gallen holds a mighty high opinion on my opinions) but if the story is true Gallen really should be ashamed of himself. He doesn't have time to sign a couple autographs for a group of 10 year olds after a good win but he has time to wait around in the sheds an hour after most of the other players have already left. I'm sure that if the allegations turn out to be true we'll be hearing about his ongoing mental health issues that've plagued him since the ASADA scandal.