NRL CEO Todd Greenberg has confirmed that Ben Barba has been deregistered after his latest off-field indiscretion.
Ben Barba has been given a life ban by the NRL, with CEO Todd Greenberg declaring it’s time for him to find a new vocation.
Greenberg said on Monday Barba had been deregistered and he could see no way back for him after the NRL integrity unit viewed CCTV footage of a physical altercation with his partner Ainslie Currie at a Townsville casino.
The 2012 Dally M winner and 2016 premiership winner Barba had already been sacked by North Queensland after the Australia Day weekend incident which is under police investigation.
“His registration with the game is no longer and I can’t see a time, at any time, in the future that he’ll be welcomed back,” Greenberg said.
Greenberg did not speak to Barba but sent a message to Currie through a third party to offer support and counselling.
An emotional Greenberg, who knew Barba from his time as the Bulldogs CEO, said the 29-year-old needed to find a new career path after a spectacular but trouble-marred league career.
The English Super League and Australian Rugby Union have both indicated they won’t offer Barba a career lifeline, leaving European club rugby union as his only option if he wanted to continue playing football.
“I’m not going to call for (a worldwide ban) but what I am going to say is that in the jurisdiction that I uphold, there’s no place for him,” Greenberg said.
“It’s probably time for Ben to find a new vocation.”
Barba won the 2012 Dally M and led Canterbury to the grand final before his career first spiralled out of control.
He was stood down by the Bulldogs to seek help for alcohol and gambling issues, amid rumours of a domestic violence incident.
News Corp published photos of his partner with cuts and bruises to her face, however, she made no complaint to the NRL or the club.
After a stint at Brisbane, Barba played a leading part in Cronulla’s 2016 grand final win.
He was suspended for 12 weeks when he recorded his second illicit drugs strike after the Sharks’ premiership celebrations.
He went to French club rugby then to Super League in England, where he rebuilt his career, winning the Man of Steel award, and was offered a one-year deal by the Cowboys.
However, he was sacked without ever playing a game for the Townsville-based club.
“These decisions affect people’s livelihoods, children, so they’re big moments and you want to make sure you get them right,” Greenberg said.
“This is an enormous outcome because this is a guy that now loses his livelihood and career in the game.
“It’s a very clear message for a lot of players in our sport that it is a great privilege to play rugby league.”
Maxim
Guest
It is hardly likely GAA.
Drew Lawrence
Roar Rookie
Exactly, I doubt if the nrl would act so swiftly
WarHorse
Roar Rookie
What if it was Cameron Smith?
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Of course that happens at times. There would be all sorts of reasons why partners withdraw charges and this is one of them. Clearly there would be other times when they are harassed into withdrawing charges and all sorts of other reasons as well. All these cases are individual and often not black and white. I believe that Walkers fiancee has withdrawn the charges. Why do you believe she did that? It is beyond dispute that many woman stay with husbands who have assaulted them by choice and that's all I'm saying whatever you are trying to somehow read in to it. Walkers action sounded silly and foolish but the victim is staying with him I believe as is her choice. Do you think it is against her will and she would be happy to see him down at the dole office? What do you think the victim wants now? My guess is that the case is dropped and he grows up a bit. Only a wild guess however.
The Barry
Roar Guru
It’s pointless Nat. In FT’s mind when a woman withdraws her statement or doesn’t press charges it’s simply because she doesn’t think it was serious any more. It’s not because of things like love or fear or shame, financial or social vulnerability, because of children, to protect a lifestyle. It’s just all because it’s not serious any more. Apparently there’s an acceptable level of violence against women. Backhanders are ok (as long as they’re provoked). Minor cuts and bruises aren’t much of a concern. Bit of hair pulling’s ok...
The Barry
Roar Guru
“victims have cooled down and don’t regard the alleged assault as a problem any more” Do you really think that’s why abused partners retract statements and elect not to pursue charges...?
Nat
Roar Guru
" I’m not convinced the fiancee would be one of those" One of those what? A woman who stands up for herself? A woman who has more self respect then to withdraw a statement because Walker is paying for her lifestyle? If he has pulled on her hair after getting involved in an altercation - that's assault. How does she get the marks shoulders, legs and feet? Maybe she just tripped hey? Why are the neighbours so insistent to have their say that the judge postponed the hearing so they could be heard? Why are the police pressing ahead even though she has withdrawn her statement? Did she provoke him to the point of absolute frustration, fair chance. Is it ever ok for laying a hand on her in anger or frustration - never. Conviction or not, he is 100% wrong. Fair dinkum, anything Manly and you lose your mind. The Brett Stewart case is not the beacon of righteousness you tend to stand on in these arguments. Every case is different and some are more obvious than others. In a world of he said/she said I'll sooner take the word of the police and ambos as they don't care about who the person is, how much they earn or who they play for, they purely care about the crime.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
I found a report which alleges that Walker and her fiancee were arguing over a video game and he yanked on her hair as she left the house. She had minor cuts to her shoulder, leg and feet. If that’s true and he’s found guilty and banned for life then that will make some happy. I’m not convinced the fiancee would be one of those.
Paul
Roar Guru
"the players should be told now what will happen for each thing they do wrong." How can the NRL do that David? Remember, the NRL is punishing guys for bringing the game into disrepute, which can be just about any act deemed unacceptable to the general public. I think the NRL needs to be clear about the severity of the penalties that will be imposed but trying to cover each and every indiscretion with an actual penalty is impossible to do.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
I know little about Walkers case and am prepared to wait before I make judgement. I'm unaware of bruises or CCTV footage and there was a witness in the Brett Stewart case as well but it doesn't mean much until it's all looked at properly. How do you know Walker sent his partner in to say there was nothing in the accusations? Are you suggesting that she couldn't make that decision by herself if that's what happened? The ramifications for her are a real factor if he is banned for life. He would be on more than half a million dollars a year with many years left in the game. Where are these bruises? If he's found guilty then he will rightly be punished.
Nat
Roar Guru
Well I wouldn't be having a beer with Lodge as he doesn't drink. Just one of many things he has undertaken to be a better person. Walker or Barba on the other hand send their missus in to say there was nothing in their accusations despite their bruises, witnesses, police and ambo reports and CCTV footage. I'm all for 2nd chances but that comes with actions that prove they want a 2nd chance - not just after a period of time. Forgotten is not forgiven. There is a difference and it's not in the slightest hypocritical.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Yep ! Hopefully he gets the help he needs, or this might end up an even greater tragedy !
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
No glass house here , it's in your imagination. If you think it's OK to have a beer with Lodge and others then why would Barba be on the black list? Seems a touch hypocritical I would say. There are plenty of people out there who have done the wrong thing including Lodge and if everyone gives them the cold shoulder it sounds great in theory but the reality could be a bit different.
Auzzie Boxing Fan
Roar Rookie
I think Barba was the perfect target for this so called "Stance". I would very much like to see if that was a different player that had no previous troubles on or off the field, that the plenty would be so swift and severe?.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Not likely ! He couldn't even take one shot from Curtis Scott !
Auzzie Boxing Fan
Roar Rookie
any good amateaur would give him a decent hiding.
Nat
Roar Guru
You do understand the glasshouse you are throwing stones from was shattered by Dylan Walker. I've never defended Lodge's actions but I commend his work to better himself and others over the last 4 years. Ol' Iron Fists Walker on the other hand, he's certainly helped his missus to learn to be quiet.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Walker's partner isn't so keen for action from what I'm reading. Same as Barba's partner years ago it seems. It will be interesting to see how it plays out. It's another issue which complicates the situation when victims have cooled down and don't regard the alleged assault as a problem any more. The perpetrator can often strike again it seems, sometime down the track. In all these cases it will be interesting to see how closely the evidence matches the reports and the perception.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
I'm sure Lodgey will be getting a few slaps on the back and some eye contact at the good old Bowlsy if the Broncos are riding high this season.
Matthew
Roar Rookie
If he gets a criminal conviction on file after this incident he won’t be able to get into the us or Japan to even begin with . That’s why so many of these agents and players push for spent convictions