Former NRL star Blake Ferguson has been sacked by Japanese club NEC Green Rockets, following his arrest over the weekend.
Japanese media reported that Ferguson, who left Australia to pursue a rugby union career after being denied a new contract at Parramatta, was taken to the Azabu police station after allegedly assaulting a man at a restaurant in Tokyo.
According to reports, a police search of Ferguson found cocaine on his person.
Ferguson’s new club, Japan Top League team NEC Green Rockets, released a statement confirming the news.
“Blake Ferguson, a contract player belonging to NEC Green Rockets Tokatsu, was arrested on December 30 on suspicion of possessing illegal drugs,” the club said.
“We deeply apologise for causing a great deal of concern and inconvenience to everyone involved.
“Our team fully cooperates with the police investigation and strives to understand the situation.”
They have since confirmed that Ferguson’s contract has been torn up, before a single game for the club.
The Japanese Top League is due to kick off on January 7.
The 31-year old, who played 249 games across a 13-year career with Cronulla, Canberra, Sydney and the Eels, was signed by the Green Rockets by former Wallabies coach Michael Cheika, the club’s director of rugby.
Ferguson has stated a desire to stake a claim for a Wallabies berth in years to come.
Japanese rugby famously suspended the Top League competition during 2021 after a number of players were charged with drug-related offences. The country has a zero tolerance policy towards illicit substances.
The Top League has been rebranded as Japan League One for the 2022 season, and now features three divisions with promotion and relegation at stake. Ferguson’s Green Rockets are part of the inaugural Division One.
Adsa
Roar Rookie
I think you've covered everything their Shirt, perhaps the only thing you have missed is a 3 fight lucrative boxing gig?
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
so they'll be ripping off his leather elbow patches from his tweed jacket now as a demotion? speaking of ripping - wonder if that's what the Japanese club will do to his contract?
Pete Samu's Tucked Shirt
Roar Rookie
No doubt he will read a pre-written statement saying he has 'addictions', will cop a minor punishment, get bailed out by (and welcomed back to) the NRL then handed a rep jersey as a punishment. Seems to be be NRL solution to every misconduct these days. And the circus rolls on. Stat!
Bobby
Roar Rookie
MK. Doubt it. Having a “sniff” and getting a positive dope test is considered (IMO) a lot less serious than being caught by the Cops. One gets a little time off playing (say 8 weeks) and a hefty RA fine whilst the other is a criminal offence.
Nat
Roar Guru
Nah, signed a contract. He's part of the collar up crowd now! :laughing:
Malo
Guest
Throw the book at him for complete arrogance.
Faithful
Roar Rookie
So what you’re saying is that Law Enforcement is not right? That’s makes total sense.
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
It's very obvious poor old Fergo was never seemed to wear the tweed jacket with leather patches on the elbows . He'll be lucky to get back in Oz for a while .
Greysy
Roar Rookie
I don't think you need a lab test to tell the difference between weed and oregano. Getting into fairly tenuous hypotheticals here mate, as people have pointed out the reporting on this is based in large part off of a public statement released by his club. Anyone who has access to the internet can read the statement so why should journalists ignore something that is in the public domain? Also, small point but the word is spelled 'alleged'.
Arcturus
Roar Rookie
Apparently he was arrested on 30th December, so it has been a couple of days.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Yes Aiden, he forgot that Powder finger was only a band! He took the name literally.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Brilliant Son :laughing: :laughing:
Yeah nah
Guest
Here's a plan all mapped out. Lets go to a new country for the post career sports opportunity of a lifetime. Lets pick a country that has "zero tolerance" for drugs. Lets pick a country that has strong penalties for minor drug offences. Lets go to a restaurant in said country and get hammered. Lets belt someone. Lets get arrested by the local cops. Lets carry cocaine when they do. Lets do all this inside three weeks. Lets embarrass two entire sports and a whole country. Just. Wow. "Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the former." Albert Einstein
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
couldn'r be drugs then cuz the Quran lists all intoxicants as unlawful. So Blake was obviously drinking red cordial on the roof with Dugan
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
the club would quote whatever the media or Police would have said
JennyfromPenny
Guest
Wow, old Fergo’s certainly come a long way from the days of sipping breezers on the roof. Just glad he’s never been a Panther. The Parra Trolls will have to troll themselves now.
liquorbox_
Roar Rookie
Maybe he will claim they were not his, stranger things do happen!! https://www.fox5ny.com/news/florida-man-denies-drugs-strapped-to-his-penis-were-his "The man said the drugs were not his but didn't say who the drugs belonged to, according to the arrest report."
Lukestar
Roar Rookie
I bet he wishes now he was on the roof with Dugan drinking cruisers/breezers.
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
obviously he didn't read about Joel Everson, ok ok, someone should have read the article to him. All games suspended for 3 weeks during the investigation - they take things like this seriously in Japan
Son of Coco
Guest
That's not quite true. Plenty of questionable or scandal clad characters find their way to Japan re: I$$y Folau as a case in point. Forget his homophobia, he's also a rampant contact breaker. What the companies don't tolerate, is a scandal once the player is under their employ.