Anthony Seibold breaks his silence following slanderous rumours about his personal life

Anthony Seibold says ‘faceless cowards on keyboards’ may force him out of the NRL.

The Brisbane Broncos coach has been at the centre of a number of vicious online rumours after he opted to stay in NSW following his team’s loss to South Sydney on Friday last week.

Club boss Paul White said the embattled NRL coach had to deal with a ‘serious family matter’ and needed privacy, but that did not stop internet trolls from circulating a series of baseless claims about Seibold and his loved ones.

‘It’s not just about me…. This is my family and other people mentioned in those disgusting and false messages,’ Seibold told the Daily Telegraph.

‘Say whatever you want about my coaching and the team’s performances but to make up lies and all that abuse … it’s sickening and I’m not going to cop it.’

Seibold (pictured at Broncos training in July) has sought representation from legal firm Howden Saggers, who confirmed police involvement

The 45-year-old, who will remain at his Brisbane home for another week of self-isolation after breaking the NRL’s ‘covid bubble’, has since enlisted the help of Howden Saggers Lawyers to fight back against the vile accusations.

Cyber security experts are now in the process of investigating the origin of the cruel rumours and the identity of those involved.

Seibold said he chose to take legal action and go to the police about the hurtful and defamatory posts because ‘social media has gone to a level that is no longer acceptable’.

He said the game needs to take a stand after Melbourne Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen also spoke out last week about receiving death threats from disgruntled gamblers.

Online trolls spreading wild rumours about NRL coach Anthony Seibold’s personal life could face criminal penalties for defamation

The Broncos are currently in the midst of their worst-ever season after going down 36-8 against the Canberra Raider on Saturday in yet another drubbing.

The star-studded team which have failed to perform during the coronavirus-interrupted 2020 season have only managed one win from their past 12 games.

Seibold’s chargers are currently sitting in second-last place on the ladder.

NRL coach Anthony Seibold has contacted the police to investigate slanderous rumours about his personal life circulating on social media

But off the field drama has also plagued the six-time premiership-winning club.

Brisbane legend Allan Langer and two other fellow support staff were fined $5000 after breaching COVID-19 protocols by attending a function.

Second-row enforcer Tevita Pangai Jr also landed in hot water after attending a barber shop owned by an outlaw motorcycle club.

The move cost the 24-year $30,000 and saw him placed on indefinite suspension.

NRL investigators are also combing through footage that allegedly shows up to 10 Broncos players playing the pokies at the Everton Park Hotel in Brisbane earlier this month.

Under the NRL’s strict COVID-19 rules, players are not allowed to attend pubs and clubs.

With all the strain of the season piling up on Seibold and growing calls for the $800,000 a year coach to be sacked with another three years left on his deal, he says he’s ‘angry’ that no one from the NRL has called to check on his well-being.

‘I thought someone could have reached out. Even just a phone call to check in. It’s been bloody hard,’ he said.

‘I’d hate any other coach or player to go through what I have this last week. Will it drive me out of the game? I need to think about that at a later time.’

The Bronco’s are currently in the midst of their worst-ever season after going down 36-8 against the Canberra Raider on Saturday in yet another drubbing

There are growing calls for Seibold to be sacked with three years left to go on his contract