The NRL will likely leave rugby league World Cup officials to investigate an incident involving the Italian team in which James Tedesco was reportedly king hit by a teammate.
Both tournament organisers and the NRL confirmed on Tuesday they were aware of a matter involving the Italian team in Cairns on Sunday night following their shock 36-12 loss to Ireland.
According to reports from the Seven Network, Tedesco was punched by a teammate as part of a brawl that led to the entire team being kicked out of a Cairns nightspot.
“The RLWC has been made aware of an incident involving the the Italian team in Cairns on Sunday night,” a statement from the tournament organisers read.
“The matter has been referred to the integrity unit. It would be inappropriate to make any further comment until we receive a final report.”
While the World Cup is being played in Australia, the tournament is governed by the rugby league International Federation and separate to the NRL.
The NRL will wait for reports from the Italian team and tournament organisers on the matter, but will only become involved if it is a serious matter that involved a contracted NRL player.
Along with Tedesco, there are nine players from NRL clubs in the Italian squad, but it is believed the player who landed the blow is from a European club side.
“Under the protocols or the tournament the matter will be dealt with by the team management and the RLWC,” an NRL spokesman told AAP.
“If a matter is serious and involves NRL players the integrity unit will become involved.
“We will await a report on the matter.”
Italy play the USA in their next group match in Townsville on Sunday.
Management from the team have been contacted for comment, but have not yet replied.
Big Daddy
Guest
Did you hear the one about the Aussie, the pommie who played rugby league for Italy . Your right max you really cant make this stuff up. I bet the girlfriend was Irish and her parents were Russian. Lol
Max
Guest
dominic decoco
terrence
Guest
Max E Pad I just find it funny that an Italian was hit by an Italian by a reported ''coward punch"? What are the old jokes about the cowardice Italian armed forces after a few World War debacles, coward punch sounds apt. Did you hear about the new Italian tanks? One forward speed, four reversing speeds. A car back fires in Rome and all Italian males put their hands above their heads! Too funny. But a report said that the young Italian victim put the word on his team mates girlfriend. If so how Italian! Their lovers not fighters (unless your trying to cut your mates grass (or in Italian terms "clean their concrete"), but hey, our Italian friend love to love, but they love to hate that little bit more. Seafood Arrabbiata all round. Addio miei amici.
Andrew
Guest
Such a professional sport!! The whole country of Italy will be shattered. Actually i wonder if any of them knows this team exist..
Max
Guest
Well done rugby league. An Englishman hit a Australian while both playing for Italy!? During a so called World Cup you cant make this stuff up.
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
The RLIF, FIRL and RFL must take a hardline stance on this if the allegations are true. The player in question should be banned from ever representing the Italian national rugby league team again, and must be released by their club, or suspended at the very least. I'm extremely shocked and disappointed at hearing who the perpetrator is. It's a very bad look for the game, controversy is never far away from rugby league. *sigh*
Rabbit
Guest
So if the player that hit Terdesco is not kicked off the team I wonder what Terdesco was doing ?