How three footy stars have been charged with sexual assault in less than a month

Three rugby league players have been charged with sexual assault in this month alone – despite the league taking part in a global campaign to end domestic violence.

The NRL has been marred by allegations of rape, assault, drink driving and obscene exposure with some of the league’s biggest stars trading the footy field for court appearances.

St George Illawarra forward Jack de Belin, who represented NSW in the 2018 State of Origin, allegedly sexually assaulted a 19-year-old woman after a night out early Sunday morning. 

Penrith Panthers’ Liam Coleman and fellow footy player Zane Musgrove were both charged with the indecent assault of a 22-year-old woman at Coogee Bay Hotel, in Sydney’s eastern suburbs in November. 

A month earlier Parramatta Eels star Jarryd Hayne, who dabbled in the NFL after years at the top of the NRL, was charged with the alleged sexual assault of a 26-year-old woman. 

The NRL claims to use its voice as a means for action in preventing violence.

St George Illawarra forward Jack de Belin, who represented NSW in the 2018 State of Origin, allegedly sexually assaulted a 19-year-old woman after a night out early Sunday morning

Penrith Panthers’ Liam Coleman (left) and fellow footy player Zane Musgrove (right) allegedly sexually assaulted a 22-year-old woman at Coogee Bay Hotel, in Sydney’s eastern suburbs in November

Parramatta Eels star Jarryd Hayne, who dabbled in the NFL, allegedly sexually assaulted and injured a 26-year-old woman

Parramatta Eels star Jarryd Hayne, who dabbled in the NFL, allegedly sexually assaulted and injured a 26-year-old woman

In a media release on Monday, the league said: ‘For the past 16 days, the NRL has utilised its voice and reach to encourage communities to take action to prevent violence as part of the global UN-led 16 days of activism against gender-based violence campaign.’

‘As a game and a community, we endeavour to create a standard of behaviour and culture around respect towards women that runs through our rugby league clubs but also our schools, workplaces and society as a whole.’

‘Let’s start the conversation.’ 

De Belin, 27, was charged with one count of aggravated sexual assault in company on Thursday afternoon.

The Dragons star forward voluntarily handed himself to Wollongong police station, south of Sydney, at about 3.40pm on Thursday. 

A 19-year-old woman, who has given a statement to police, claims she was sexually assaulted by De Belin and another football player after leaving an establishment on Crown Street, Wollongong.

De Belin’s partner is 20-weeks pregnant. 

De Belin (pictured right with partner), 27, was charged with one count of aggravated sexual assault in company on Thursday afternoon 

De Belin (pictured right with partner), 27, was charged with one count of aggravated sexual assault in company on Thursday afternoon 

Coleman and Musgrove are accused of indecently assaulting a 22-year-old woman in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. 

The alleged incident took place after a Saturday night out on November 24 and the pair were charged almost a fortnight afterward. 

They were charged with an act of indecency and aggravated indecent assault and will appear in court in January 2019. 

Hayne, 30, was charged with aggravated sexual assault and inflicting actual bodily harm after he handed himself in to Ryde police station in November. 

The allegations against Hayne come as he faces civil legal action in the US over claims he raped a woman during his time with the San Francisco 49ers NFL team in 2015

The allegations against Hayne come as he faces civil legal action in the US over claims he raped a woman during his time with the San Francisco 49ers NFL team in 2015

He intends to plead not guilty to the alleged sexual assault of the woman, 26, his lawyer says. 

A woman, 26, claims she suffered injuries during a sexual encounter with Hayne in the Hunter Valley and that she had photographs to back up her story.

It is understood the alleged victim was interviewed by the NRL’s integrity unit before the matter was referred to police.

The allegations come as Hayne faces civil legal action in the US over claims he raped a woman during his time with the San Francisco 49ers NFL team in 2015.  

Other stars of the game have also been hit with allegations related to assault, drink driving and public nudity amid a dark cycle for the league.

Manly Sea Eagles player Dylan Walker (right) was charged with assaulting his Miss Universe fiancée (left) at a home on Sydney's northern beaches on December 6

Manly Sea Eagles player Dylan Walker (right) was charged with assaulting his Miss Universe fiancée (left) at a home on Sydney’s northern beaches on December 6

Manly Sea Eagles star Dylan Walker was charged with assaulting his partner at a home on Sydney’s northern beaches on December 6.

Walker, 24, was arrested and charged with common assault and assault occasioning actual bodily harm – both domestic violence-related – after Alexandra Ivkovic suffered cuts to her shoulder, leg and feet in Dee Why on December 6.

The Eagles player put on a united front with his Miss Universe fiancée outside court on Tuesday and she is now set to retract her statement to police. 

At Manly Local Court on Tuesday, the Sea Eagles centre’s lawyer, Ramy Qutami, stated: ‘My instructions are to enter pleas of not guilty to the offences.’ 

Bail was continued on Tuesday and his matter was adjourned to December 18 to fix a hearing date if required.    

NRL star Greg Inglis was charged with speeding and drink driving, just hours after being named Kangaroos captain in October

NRL star Greg Inglis was charged with speeding and drink driving, just hours after being named Kangaroos captain in October

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs player Adam Elliott held hands with his girlfriend Robyn Wattam as they left Downing Centre Local Court in October. He is charged with wilful and obscene exposure during Mad Monday celebrations

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs player Adam Elliott held hands with his girlfriend Robyn Wattam as they left Downing Centre Local Court in October. He is charged with wilful and obscene exposure during Mad Monday celebrations

NRL star Greg Inglis was charged with speeding and drink driving, just hours after being named Kangaroos captain in October. 

Inglis was driving to Sydney after attending the Koori Knockout, an Indigenous football competition in Dubbo, 400km north-west of Sydney. 

‘Officers attached to the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command were conducting stationary speed enforcement on the Great Western Highway at Lithgow when they detected a black Mercedes-Benz travelling above the speed limit,’ NSW Police said in a statement. 

Inglis was allegedly travelling more than 10 kilometres above the speed limit and recorded a positive breath of 0.085 at Lithgow Police Station.      

Canterbury Bulldogs players Adam Elliott and teammate Asipeli Fine were both charged with wilful and obscene exposure after being photographed nude on the balcony of the Harbour View Hotel at Sydney’s The Rocks in early September.

They were also fined $25,000 by the Bulldogs and the club was slapped with a $250,000 fine by the NRL but that was later halved.

Elliott, his lawyer and Fine’s lawyer appeared at Downing Centre Local Court in October for the first time since the incident.

Fine was not in court as he was overseas. The players are both yet to enter pleas.

 

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