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Penrith star Nathan Cleary is set to be fined by NSW police for allegedly breaching social distancing laws that resulted in his severe sanction by the NRL.
Cleary was originally cleared by police of breaking coronavirus restrictions when he was photographed with friends at his house.
Five women received $1000 police fines for flouting government protocols.
However, after video emerged of Cleary in TikTok videos with the same group, the NRL slapped him with a two-game ban and $30,000 fine for being “untruthful” in dealings with the integrity unit.
Cleary originally received a $10,000 fine, 60 per cent suspended, as well as a suspended one-match ban after initial league investigations.
It has since been alleged the Panthers halfback had left his home during the day in question in contravention of the state’s COVID-19 measures.
That has prompted NSW police to interview Cleary again on Wednesday.
“We are looking at it,” detective inspector Jason Pietruszka told AAP.
“We’re reviewing his original information and we’ll be speaking with him later on today.
“And if that information is found to be false, then he’ll be issued with a ticket as per the health order.
“We’ll treat it for what it is and he’ll be given a ticket.”
Panthers teammate and Cleary’s housemate, Tyrone May, was fined $15,000 by the NRL for his role during the league’s investigation.
Penrith had hoped to put the saga behind them after accepting the NRL punishments for both players on Tuesday.
Coach Ivan Cleary, the father of Nathan, said it was out of character for his son, who has had an unblemished record off the field since his debut in 2016.
“He is very remorseful and he’s paying the price,” Cleary told the club’s website.
“I actually think it could be the making of him, I really do. He’s still a young man.
“He knows he’s done the wrong thing and he’s hurt people.
“In my experience, sometimes the best leadership lessons are done through practising the hard way.”
© AAP
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