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).
Hoy
Roar Guru
What I found strange was that the radio reports called him an Origin Star... True, he played Origin football... and possibly deserved to play some more, but lets not call him an origin star... I also originally read it and thought there was no way his wife was 25... then I found out he had remarried... so that was a bit of a shock as well... Sad situation really...
pete bloor
Guest
Yep the cheerleading thing just feels creepy. Most look barely out of school and watching them in a crowd feels like you've put an some underage blue movie on at a dinner party
Kirk
Guest
The NRL needs to continue with promoting more female involvement in the game and more female leaders like Raelene Castle. It should get rid of the cheerleaders as they are tacky and no longer appropriate. Sadly I think the NRL will just go backwards on these issues with David Smith being forced out and a "Rugby League" person being put in charge.
clipper
Guest
Yes, quite correct, meant to out 'found guilty' there.
sticks
Roar Rookie
TBH more bizarre than stalking in New York or wife bashing in Sydney is Hopoate becoming a coach, RL just continues to boggle the mind. ?
pete bloor
Guest
Shouldn't they only have the book thrown at them if they are guilty? being charged =/= being found guilty
clipper
Guest
The Hawthorn players are under investigation - haven't been charged yet (when and if they are, they should have the book thrown at them) and what's worse for the NRL is Hazem was the face of the White Ribbon campaign - still had his picture on their website, which was hastily removed when the story broke.
offsider
Guest
Ssshh it's only league players that do anything wrong
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Just the hitting
Samtwocan
Guest
Perhaps it wasn't him doing the flicking ?
Mike from Tari
Guest
So those Hawthorne players under investigation are rugby league players based on your assumptions.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
I'm more amazed he flicked his wife. And that he remarried one half her age within a year!
Riordan Lee
Editor
This seems to be an awfully systemic problem in the NRL that happens on a scale unlike any other major code in the country.
Crashy
Guest
This code is beyond reproach. What is wrong with these people???? -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Snakefingers rise
Guest
Dog act.
Mongo
Guest
Any chance you know the difference between NRL and Rugby Union or is this deliberate???