Ben Barba will be banned for life by the NRL if domestic violence allegations are proven.
The former Dally M winner was sacked by North Queensland on Friday after club officials viewed CCTV footage of an incident at a Townsville casino on the Australia Day weekend.
Barba is alleged to have assaulted his partner and mother of his four children, Ainslie Currie, and is being investigated by police.
NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg said the game would refuse to register any future contract if he was found guilty.
“We have run out of patience and tolerance for misbehaviour off the field,” Greenberg said on Saturday.
“Violence against women is the very top of that list. If you’re violent against a woman you can expect to be removed from the game. It starts now.
“The Cowboys have acted quickly and decisively to terminate Ben Barba’s contract. That’s a club showing the leadership that’s required.
“I haven’t seen the footage as yet but if it shows violence towards a woman then really there’s no debate. Ben Barba will be out of the NRL immediately and I can’t see him ever returning.”
The 29-year-old was already on his last chance after being forced out of the game in 2016 after recording his second illicit drugs strike following Cronulla’s premiership win.
He was forced over to French rugby union and the English Super League before being thrown a lifeline by the Cowboys.
Barba will depart the Townsville club without playing a game as the NRL’s horror off-season continued.
It’s yet another troubling look for the code, with Jarryd Hayne, Jack de Belin, Zane Musgrove, Liam Coleman, and Dylan Walker also facing charges of serious offences against women.
Should those players be found guilty, the precedent set by the NRL on Saturday will have ramifications for them.
Greenberg said the commission had drawn a line in the sand and was frustrated that previous sanctions had not affected player behaviour.
“It’s disgraceful and we can’t do anything other than protect the game,” Greenberg said.
“That’s what we will do. I called this out several weeks ago. I said that don’t look behind us and what sanctions have been applied, only look in front.
‘We’re going to get tougher, we’re going to get tougher and get tougher on this sort of stuff because we must protect the game. It’s exactly what we’re doing on the first opportunity to do so.”
WarHorse
Roar Rookie
She might have to find someone else who will be able to financially support her and won't bash her in the process.
peeeko
Roar Guru
thats not the point. the victim wont be able to earn much if Ben is collecting mopping floors playing NRL is extremely tough.
WarHorse
Roar Rookie
They will just have to work longer and harder to earn their income
WarHorse
Roar Rookie
Life MUST mean life, otherwise these guys will never learn
peeeko
Roar Guru
yeah, its obvious that Barba learns from his mistakes
peeeko
Roar Guru
his obligation they couldnt be verified die to a witness that wouldnt help?
peeeko
Roar Guru
i just read the telegraph today. Apparently they are back together and she doesnt want him to be sacked. obviously this is because it financially disadvantages her as well. this seems to be the case in another incident with another player earlier this off season. its a tricky situation where the victim is punished further by the inability of the attacker to earn income for them.
db
Guest
The recanting of the allegations happened months after Greenberg was first told. So, for that period of time he didn't meet his obligations to the NRL.
peeeko
Roar Guru
He can’t report something without a witness
a
Roar Rookie
And looks like he will be going to Centrelink
Wayne Turner
Guest
If it's clear Barba has assaulted his partner. Then Barba must officially banned from the NRL for life. None of these vague words that give him a slim chance to try to come back egs: "At risk". "I can’t see him ever returning.” - How about he is banned for life,and has no chance of ever returning no matter what.
db
Guest
He was aware of the incident very shortly after it happened. Because Ainslie decided to recant doesn't remove the obligation on the club boss to report the allegation to the NRL. Can you imagine what Greengerg's reaction would be today if a club CEO failed to notify the NRL of a similar allegation involving a player.
Clanger McClunk
Guest
That's an unfair comment to blame Greenberg. Back in 2013 when Barba allegedly belted his girlfriend she denied it happened and wouldn't co-operate with Greenberg. He said today he could only deal with what he had in front of him at the time and invited the press and others to go back over the incident and see. I don't believe there was any cover up by Greenberg as he had aspirations of being the head honcho of the NRL and wouldn't have done anything to stain his curriculum vitae. Barba, unfortunately, has some demons in his life that get the better of him and and it doesn't look like changing any time soon.
Greg
Guest
This incident can actually be traced back to Greenberg. If he hadn't of covered up Barbas assault against his partner when he was at the Bulldogs and come down hard on him then then maybe Barba would have learnt his lesson a long time ago.
AngryEagle47
Roar Rookie
“At risk” enough said
Drew Lawrence
Roar Rookie
I agree, get rid off that grub. He has had enough chances
Peter Piper
Guest
Well done Todd, The only issue I have with this is the one about penalties for "violence against women". While I accept that this is an area of particular concern, it tends to suggest that violence against anyone else is OK. What about if he had bashed some 70 year old ?, Is that ok because he is a bloke ...... NO it is not. We should be sending a clear message that any form of violence against anyone is WRONG and will not be tolerated (including your Matt Lodge types and head stamping).