James Tedesco and Shannon Wakeman will front an Italian disciplinary hearing on Wednesday after the NSW Origin star was reportedly king hit by his Rugby League World Cup teammate.
Italian officials have confirmed they have launched a review into an alleged incident between the pair on Sunday night, hours after the team’s shock loss to Ireland.
The NRL’s chief integrity unit investigator Karyn Murphy will also lead the World Cup’s independent probe into the incident, after the tournament organisers engaged her to be involved.
Both Tedesco and Huddersfield prop Wakeman were named in Italy’s 21-man squad to face the USA this Sunday, after the latter left the camp temporarily following the incident.
But the President of the Federation of Italian Rugby League (FIRL), Orazio D’arro, confirmed the matter was far from over after an internal review was conducted on Monday.
“Both players involved will appear before an internal review committee within the next 24 hours about their conduct during this incident,” D’Arro said.
“FIRL understands the importance of ensuring that players are not to engage in conduct that is detrimental or damaging to rugby league or the Rugby League World Cup.
“Both players involved understand their obligations to the Rugby League World Cup and the acceptable behaviour in public.”
According to the Seven Network, Tedesco was punched by teammate Wakeman before a brawl that led to the team being kicked out of a Cairns nightspot following the 36-12 loss.
Italian coach Cameron Ciraldo has since confirmed to Fairfax Media that Wakeman has apologised to Tedesco over the incident.
Murphy, a former Jillaroos player and Queensland police officer, will act independently from the NRL in the same way the league’s referees boss Tony Archer is leading the tournament’s officials.
“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 largely in Australia, the tournament is governed by the Rugby League International Federation and separate to the NRL.
The NRL will wait for reports from Italian team management and tournament organisers on the matter, but will only step in if it is a serious enough matter that involved a contracted NRL player.
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