Penrith’s Premiership-winning hooker Mitch Kenny has been served with a breach notice by the NRL in connection with a social media post made over the Christmas period that appeared to reference cocaine.
The player has been specifically charged with bringing the game into disrepute and has until next week to respond to the notice.
Kenny is set to fly to England as part of the Panthers’ campaign to become world champions by defeating Wigan, but now faces a potential suspension or fine.
His post on Instagram read that a “couple of Boxing Day lines have got me in trouble” accompanied by a photo of himself.
Kenny later distanced himself from it, posting “Happy New Year guys. Enjoy and ignore trolls who grabbed my phone. Happy New Year.”
The league’s statement read: “The National Rugby League (NRL) today issued Penrith Panthers player Mitch Kenny with a Breach Notice alleging a breach of the NRL Code of Conduct following an NRL Integrity Unit investigation into a social media post in December, 2023.
“It is alleged Kenny engaged in conduct which has brought the game and his Club into disrepute. Kenny has 5 business days to respond to the Breach Notice.”
The Panthers also issued a statement acknowledging that they were aware of the notice and confirming that they were making no further comments on the matter.
Robbo
Roar Rookie
Yeah....it's a but on the nose really
Bernie
Roar Rookie
i believe him .... just like i believed Steve Robbo when he told Miss Pritchard in Year 5 that his dog ate his homework.
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
Part of NRL player training needs to be a session on what defence to use when you post something really stupid on social media. No point telling these guys not to do it because it's part of a young fellas DNA these days. Top of the list of things not to do, is blame trolls for hacking your phone. It simply doesn't work. Ditto with removing the post and replacing it with some excuse comment.
Andrew01
Roar Rookie
Right. And some phones use facial recognition... which i guess you could get if say, the owner of the phone was passed out or something...
Abbot
Roar Rookie
He better have a couple of lines of explanation for the NRL!!
Tetley
Roar Rookie
I'm a troll man! ba be bi bo bu
Dutski
Roar Guru
:laughing: :laughing: :laughing: Downloads of TikTok and X would plummet
Tony
Roar Guru
If there was a minimum IQ level, say 60, rather than a password, before you could use a mobile phone, then footballers wouldn't get into so much trouble
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Again with the troll blaming. I tell you, how can trolls ever get a fair go when they are constantly being trolled? They should sue for defamation. Crown V Shrek
Robbo
Roar Rookie
I'm not famous and don't bother with social media much but you can't do anything to my phone unless you know the PIN umber to make the buttons work. After using the phone it automatically defaults to needing that PIN numbwr again. I understand that is pretty normal mobile phone security practice. These blokes are even dumber than dumb thinking anyone buys that rubbish.
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
What happened was someone stole his phone, which was later hacked by a third party.
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
Should plead guilty today , probably get two game suspension, Miss the WC Challenge plus Allstars, good to go round one. Val Holmes pleaded innocent, got 4 games Storm in a teacup, Smith & Munster fessed up and got two games Or perhaps as a Panther can serve the suspension next year
Phil
Roar Rookie
Damn those trolls who grab a bloke's phone.
Succhi
Roar Rookie
I believe him! So many players have their phones taken and their social media accounts hacked, with selfies that were taken without their own permission and then shared on their social media accounts by unknowns who happen to know their passwords. Yep, no doubt in my mind.
RayinSydney
Roar Rookie
These players are really in their own little world…trolls took my phone, and gave it back once they posted something…yup, believable.
aerial lizard
Roar Rookie
Trolls who mess with other people's
gearphone make Mitch Kenny snorting mad.Dutski
Roar Guru
Should double the penalty for the worst attempt at deflection ever.