NSW Police and the NRL will investigate whether Josh Addo-Carr and Latrell Mitchell broke social distancing regulations at a mid-north coast gathering.
On the same day the NRL gave clubs a draft of strict new biosecurity rules, Addo-Carr posted images of himself and Mitchell at a property near Taree.
The NRL confirmed on Monday morning it would investigate the matter and support any government sanctions handed down, given what could be a massive blow to restart the 2020 season.
The photos have since been deleted from Instagram but they included an image of the pair with 10 men around a fire plus videos of Melbourne flyer Addo-Carr riding a dirt bike without a helmet and shooting a gun.
“On face value, the image in today’s media is both disappointing and an unacceptable breach of health orders,” the NRL said in a statement.
“The NRL will be speaking to the players involved to seek further information and we will ensure the players provide any assistance authorities require.
“Our players are role models and we expect them to lead by example during this pandemic.”
Newcastle are also investigating Tyronne Roberts-Davis’ involvement, after the NRL squad member was seen in one of the photos.
Mitchell spent a significant amount of his summer on a farm in his hometown of Taree while considering his contract options before joining South Sydney.
Addo-Carr’s social media suggests he has spent the majority of the coronavirus shutdown in Sydney.
Under NSW guidelines, people can only leave the house for work, essential shopping, exercise, medical appointments and compassionate visits.
“The matter will be investigated. What action is taken will fall out of that investigation,” NSW Deputy Police Commissioner Gary Worboys said.
“I have spoken this morning to the regional commander at northern.
“He will make himself aware of what’s on the back page of the paper and make some inquiries.
“Police haven’t been backward at all in taking complaints, making investigations and taking the appropriate action.”
Addo-Carr has since told News Corp he was with his pregnant partner in the region and visited his cousins and uncles.
He also claimed it was a cultural gathering, learning about how to live off the land.
Melbourne boss Dave Donaghy had not yet spoken to Addo-Carr with players due back for training next Monday.
The Rabbitohs said they will ensure Mitchell cooperates with authorities and accepts any sanctions, insisting the club and players took government health orders “very seriously”.
The drama could not have come at a worse time for the league.
The NRL hopes to convince government this week it can return safely given its biosecurity measures.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian would not comment on Monday on whether the issue would affect the game’s chances of a May 28 resumption.
Under the proposed rules players would have to stay home except for training, playing, doctor’s visits and essential food shopping.
They also dictate players cannot have visitors in their homes.
The NRL has threatened teams with the loss of points and heavy fines if any player breaks the rules.
“We are embarking on a significant education program to ensure our players understand what is acceptable behaviour ahead of the resumption of training,” the NRL said.
“When training resumes our players and officials must comply with biosecurity protocols that go further than current government restrictions.
“As a group, our players have taken government health orders very seriously and have helped educate the community.
“On face value, today’s matter is unacceptable and we support the government in any action they believe necessary.”
Ian_
Roar Rookie
Errr, there's a guy in America who calls out fake news all the time and is definitely at least this stupid.
Ian_
Roar Rookie
I agree, and had thought about that, but didn't mention it in my comment. By all reports the population some of these guys were returning to were likely to have included some very vulnerable people
Davico
Roar Pro
I think another thing to consider is that unfortunately our indigenous population have a lot more health issues which may make them more at risk if they contract Covid. I genuinely feel that they were probably trying to do the right thing and just try to help each others mental health, but it only takes 1 of them to have it, spread it to the others who then take it back to their families and friends and all of a sudden you have a tragedy on your hands. Especially if they take it back to communities with limited healthcare facilities i not a lot of respirators etc.
Davico
Roar Pro
Prob about time you stopped going early Moose. Your posts are making it look more like it should be goose.
Davico
Roar Pro
And just so we are clear, the below is what he posted with the photos: “Can you spot the difference? I can, one group of people is coloured! I stand with ya cuzz @iamlm01 (Mitchell).”
Davico
Roar Pro
No just insinuated it in a social media post.
Stormy
Roar Rookie
Mitchell is playing the race card strongly, now. It was inevitable - pulls it out whenever something goes against him.
Davico
Roar Pro
Did not realise that living off the land consisted of thrashing around on dirt bikes and shooting tin cans with a firearm that you are not licensed to be using! It must be a "cultural" thing!
Andrew
Guest
He did play the race card. What part of 'one group is coloured' doesn't make sense to you?
Rob
Guest
Having the capacity to forgive is more powerful and significantly less destructive than hate. An apology is a start on the road to understanding. To throw an apology in someone’s face is not a mature way to gain their ear. We all play our part in a racist argument. I believe they will get a fine like every other person breaking the regulations.
Mango Jack
Roar Guru
Some of the quotes here sound like they come straight from the Betoota Advocate: "Our players are role models and we expect them to lead by example during this pandemic" . Ummmm, no they're not. NRL players are legendary for anti-social behavior. JAC "claimed it was a cultural gathering, learning about how to live off the land". What, by screaming around a beach on a quad bike and shooting cans? “As a group, our players have taken government health orders very seriously and have helped educate the community." Clearly not. I expect many have, but equally, does anyone believe these tools are the only ones flouting the rules?
Rob
Guest
My tolerance is about under standing of the mentality and psychology of those individuals and the gravity of their error of judgment. On March 15 the PM said as of the 17th we have to change everything around social distancing. Up until then the government were trying to save money and then realised a big problem could be also developing. I didn’t go to the Cowboys home game but my best mate did and MR Morrison was encouraging everyone to attend but then social distance the following day? I don’t hate my mate but I understood the potential of having a crowd of 25000 in a rural city with a possible 4 or 5 people being positive in the beer que. Mr Morrison don’t shake hands then turned around to shoke the health officers hand. Whoops! Then we do the elbow bump he said? Hang on is the elbow where I cough and sneeze? Every case of COVID has entered the country from overseas with cruise ships the highest risk ( no shit Sherlock) then the Government let a sick ship drop 2700 in the middle of Sydney to find their way back home to a parts of the country? Mitchell was trying to give his mates somewhere isolated to go because he loves them and I certainly don’t think he was thumping his nose at everyone else with intent. Give them a fine and explain how they are inadvertently putting others at risk and these boys will probably be smarter in their choices. The fact they openly posted it on Facebook indicates they were clueless just like Mr Morrison encouraging everyone to go to the football at a possible time the virus was at risk of getting a good foot in the population. He’s not like Trump but he is certainly learning a lot very quickly. Aren’t you all for getting the economy going above safety in your previous posts Elvis? Or is that a different elvis?
Nick
Roar Guru
He's an idiot for sure, but he's not seriously playing the race card. He's just an idiot who hasn't a clue what's coming his way. And even IF he did, it still doesn't excuse John's comments. Accusing people of playing the race card is equal in it's abhorrence to those who actually play the race card.
Eelsalmighty
Roar Rookie
spruce moose, I think he has tried to play the race card with his comment: “Can you spot the difference? I can, one group of people is coloured! I stand with ya cuzz @iamlm01.” But either way, I just don't think he understands, and clearly nor did JAC by going there and posting the photos in the first place.
Nick
Roar Guru
Again...What point are you making? Where is he playing the race card? You are now sounding desperate. You're the only one trying to make the suggestion it's about race. And then you again went on the "They don't sing the anthem" tangent... What relevance does that have to this topic? Repeat - no one else has even hinted that race is an issue here. Only you. I didn't call you a racist. I called out an obviously racist comment... And will keep doing so. A distinct difference. Mitchell by posting that hasn't played the race card. He's shown he's an idiot. If anything he's shown he's not contrite and will get a heavier punishment.
Nick
Roar Guru
Why the need to put that in quotation marks? "That" "seems" "strange".
Harvey Wilson
Roar Rookie
With this happening even before a restart happens, I can see the season just cancelled down the track a bit. It is highly unlikely a player won't be a moron and screw it up for everyone.
clipper
Roar Rookie
Good thought , spruce. H.G Nelson, as I've posted before, often said the same thing - keep them locked up during the week and only let them out for training and on match day.
1.5 metres please
Guest
Give it a rest . Everyone gets it OM , you’re a true champion of the oppressed.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
In fact I wasn't. You are not a good "mind reader".