Sydney Roosters playmaker Mitchell Pearce is reportedly to be stripped of his captaincy and fined up to $50,000 by his club after committing a lewd act while on an alcohol-fuelled Australia Day Bender.
The NRL is also likely to impose at least a six-month suspension and his club will add an immediate sacking clause to his contract to be triggered by any further misbehaviour, News Corp reports.
The NSW State of Origin player is also expected to be barred from travelling to England next month for the World Club challenge and abide by a booze ban.
More Mitchell Pearce:
» Roosters stand down disgraced captain Mitchell Pearce
» Footage emerges of Pearce simulating sex act with a dog
» ‘The vast majority went home, Mitchell should have done the same thing’: Sterlo
» Coverage as the story broke
» Geyer says Pearce “needs to be suspended for 12 months”
An intoxicated Pearce can be seen in a video shown by the Nine Network’s A Current Affair forcing an unwanted kiss on a female, who rejects his advances and clearly states “I am a lesbian,” before he kisses her.
Pearce then turned his attention to the woman’s dog, announcing: “I’ll f*** that dog, I don’t give a f***, I don’t have a sexuality.”
Pearce, who was shirtless but wearing shorts, is then seen to simulate sex with the dog.
The woman tells him to stop but Pearce continues to simulate sex with the animal before the woman takes the dog away and tells him to leave.
Pearce again states what he would like to do to the animal.
“I want to f*** your dog, I don’t even care anymore.”
The woman then suggests Pearce had also urinated on her couch.
A Roosters official told News Corp the Roosters would oversee counselling sessions for the 26-year-old half-back and insist he goes on a permanent booze ban.
“Mitchell obviously needs to be severely punished but he also needs professional help”, the official said.
“At this stage he’ll lose the captaincy, be heavily fined and we won’t take him to England.”
Club chairman Nick Politis is expected to insert a new clause in Mitchell’s contract stipulating if he sets another foot out of line off-field, the Roosters will rip up his existing deal, News Corp reports.
This is not the first time Pearce has found himself in trouble because of issues with alcohol.
In 2014, he was fined $20,000 by the Roosters after a nightclub incident in Kings Cross where a female patron complained about his advances and he was asked to leave the venue.
After that incident, he went on a self-imposed alcohol ban.
The latest episode casts a shadow over his footballing future, especially in the wake of Todd Carney’s banishment from the NRL for an alcohol-fuelled incident in 2014 at a Cronulla night spot.
In 2010, Canberra released representative centre Joel Monaghan after a lewd act with an animal during the Raiders’ Mad Monday celebrations.
The Roosters announced on Wednesday night they would conduct an internal investigation while the NRL awaited a report from the Roosters into the incident.
“The Integrity Unit will work with the Roosters to ensure the matter is dealt with appropriately,” read the NRL statement.
The Rugby League Players’ Association (RLPA) issued a statement on Wednesday night saying it was not appropriate to comment on the circumstances of the case without knowing all the facts but it would provide Pearce with “appropriate wellbeing support as needed”.
Adam Bishop
Roar Pro
Agreed, he did a stupid thing and tarnished the club's reputation. But it was not the crime of the century. A month suspension and fine and let's move on.
Adam Bishop
Roar Pro
Well said Freddy, a huge beat up here given the incident versus the public reaction. Mitch needs to grow up and stay off the piss andf the rest of Australia needs to get a sense of perspective.
Facts Are
Guest
Surely Pearce has to be released from his NRL contract this time. Just how many more times are Roosters/NRL going to condone his activities. I say tear up his contract NOW for he is a disgrace to the NRL, its women supporters, average people and followers in general. Come on Roosters act like you've got balls for once, and rid yourself and the game of this bloke continued outlandish behaviour.
Roostermark
Guest
Won't be popular with the hanging possie that seem to be prevelant today but a suspension like Jake Friend received which was 12 month ban which includes no training with the team, councelling and working a real job for 12 months as well as a booze ban with the provision next screw up and your gone should suffice. If he doesn't like it feel free to go to ESL.
Freddy from Bondi
Guest
Agree totally. Not one word has been said about that...
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Smart enough to go behave themselves after the boat ride I guess
Squidward
Roar Rookie
In this day and age you can't go saying gay is worse even though I know it's an attempt at a joke
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
Not the same. McCaw and Smith captain their national sides and are held in high regard. Pearce is to Smith and McCaw as he is to JT and Cameron Smith.
Samtwocan
Guest
The fact that someone has paid for it is where the problem lies .
MAX
Guest
There should be a clause in every NRL player contract which has a mandatory fine of $50k and minimum 5 games suspension for placing the game in disrepute. No excuses. To balance the issue a whole of career bonus fund could be created and funded by the NRL/ARL whereby a sum $ is credited each season for the correct behaviour during that season and paid in a lump sum upon retirement. Image and integrity are on parade 24/7
GWSingapore
Guest
And he's the captain! What are the rest like?
JoM
Roar Rookie
I agree James. People that film and sell this stuff are just as bad. In saying that, there would be nothing to film if people weren't carrying on like this.
Freddy from Bondi
Guest
I understand that JoM..and you're right, who does that sort of stuff! I can't and don't condone his actions. What gets me though, is 'pretending to do something', is in my mind completely different to 'doing something' like Monaghan did. While the two are comparable, I think they are at opposite ends of the spectrum. And mate you said "yet they still do stupid things in public"...unlike Carney he's at a private party in a private home, not in a public toilet. Again there's a point of difference there. I agree, for me the worst part was him trying to kiss the girl. But lets be honest, if she doesn't reject his advance there is no problem, and once she rejects him, it stops. So again while it's not behaviour he (or is family) would be proud of in the cold light of day, I don't think its as bad as is being made out. Punishment, sanctions, suspension, yes. Sacking, is way too harsh IMO.
offsider
Guest
Front and back page of Sydney papers, headline story on news, 6 stories on this site (as opposed to one story about tennis match fixing).yes it has been swept under the carpet.
Fadida
Guest
My agenda is to ridicule the behaviour of a bogan. To lambast the captain, the leader of a professional sports team. To fit the word root in as often as possible, as the mods seem to have dropped their guard :)
Randall Boggs
Guest
Imagine if it was a Richie McCaw or Steve Smith caught on film doing this.....it would be a huge, huge story. Because it's a league player it's almost expected that they'll behave this way, and the reaction is a lot more muted.
JoM
Roar Rookie
Freddy, the thing with the dog was still gross, pretending or not. Who does that, drunk or sober? These guys have seen in the past that there are always people who are willing to film anything they do wrong, see Carney and Monaghan, and make it public and yet they still do stupid things in public. They, like anyone else, have a right to go out and enjoy themselves without it being plastered all over our TV screens, but in this day and age of social media they are asking for trouble. Trying to force himself on the girl was also wrong when she wasn't interested and he has form in this area doesn't he. I actually feel for his parents who would have had to watch that on Channel 9 and will have to deal with it today.
El Greco
Guest
Can i ask readers and any media folk in general reading why oh why has nothing been said about the racial slur against Aboriginals after it is noted that Pearce has urinated on himself and the owner of the unit's lounge...? On "Australia Day" at that?! Selective reporting for this protected species.
Shades Carter
Roar Rookie
A lot of people will disagree with me on this one, but I think a few weeks/months suspension, my opinion.
Fadida
Guest
The Dog rooting cupboard?