Two NRL stars are sensationally stood down ‘after taking schoolgirls back to their team hotel’ in latest scandal to rock the game on the eve of the 2020 season
- Corey Harawira-Naera, 24, and Jayden Okunbor, 23, have been stood down
- It comes two days out from their NRL season-opener against the Parramatta Eels
- Players reportedly met schoolgirls at a promo visit to their school in February
- There is no criminal investigation and the girls were not underage
Bulldogs stars Corey Harawira-Naera and Jayden Okunbor have been stood down over allegations they took consenting schoolgirls to their hotel during the club’s visit to Port Macquarie.
The bombshell suspensions come just two days out from the Bulldogs’ season-opener against the Parramatta Eels.
Harawira-Naera, 24, and Okunbor, 23, reportedly met the girls during a promotional visit to their school at Port Macquarie, on the New South Wales mid-north coast, in February.
It is understood the schoolgirls were not under age and there is no suggestion Harawira-Naera or Okunbor did anything illegal.
There is no criminal investigation into the matter.
Bulldogs stars Corey Harawira-Naera and Jayden Okunbor (pictured) have been stood down over allegations they took schoolgirls to the team hotel during an away trip
Harawira-Naera (pictured), 24, and Okunbor, 23, reportedly met the girls during a promotional visit to their school in Port Macquarie in February
Most NRL players are forbidden from inviting women to their hotels while on away trips.
The Bulldogs on Tuesday afternoon confirmed both players had been provisionally suspended by the NRL.
‘Each was issued a show cause notice by the NRL as to why they shouldn’t face further disciplinary action for alleged breaches of the game’s code of conduct,’ Bulldogs CEO Andrew Hill said.
‘While neither player is the subject of a criminal investigation, the club is treating the matter very seriously.
‘The Bulldogs referred the matter to the NRL integrity unit after receiving concerning reports of alleged misconduct by the two players.
‘The club also initiated its own internal review.
‘The allegations are that each player engaged in behaviour that represents a serious breach of the NRL rules and the Bulldogs’ code of conduct, resulting in the NRL notice.’
Harawira-Naera moved to the club last year from Penrith, and formed a dangerous part of the Bulldogs’ strong back row.
The Bulldogs on Tuesday afternoon confirmed both players had been provisionally suspended by the NRL. Pictured: Jayden Okunbor
He led the NRL last year in offloads with 59, and also busted through 41 tackles.
Okunbor made his debut on the wing last year, and proved to be one of the game’s most powerful runners of the ball.
He made headlines when he ran over Melbourne captain Cameron Smith in his second NRL game.
Both players had been training with the NRL club’s top team as recently as Monday.
‘The club supports the NRL’s decision to issue the breach notices and will continue to work with the NRL to conclude the process,’ Hill said.
‘Both players have an opportunity to respond to the matters alleged in the breach notice before any final decision is made.’
Both the NRL and Bulldogs have been approached for further comment.
There is no suggestion Harawira-Naera or Okunbor did anything illegal and there is no criminal investigation into the matter. Pictured: Corey Harawira-Naera