Rape probe overshadows NRL launch
Thursday, 4 March 2004
SYDNEY: Bulldogs players faced police questioning over pack-rape allegations yesterday as rugby league was warned it could lose federal funding because of the scandal.
Detectives in Sydney questioned the first 11 of 25 Bulldogs players over claims a 20-year-old woman was gang-raped by team members at a Coffs Harbour resort.
The questioning of players, together with a crisis meeting of the Bulldogs board, overshadowed last night's official launch of the NRL season.
Despite the turmoil which has raised questions about some players' attitudes toward women, the NRL will continue to use sex appeal to help market its season in 2004, including images of a Bulldogs cheerleader showing plenty of cleavage and close-ups of muscle-bound footballers pumping iron.
NRL marketing director Paul Kind said there was no pressure to change any content in the campaign. "We cover a wide range of audiences from six-year-old kids to grandparents," he said.
The Bulldogs board emerged from its meeting last night warning any player found to have breached their code of conduct would be stood down pending a fine, suspension or sacking.
However, chairman Dr George Peponis said the club, acting on legal advice, could not take any action until after the completion of the police investigation.
"When the police investigation is concluded, any player involved in conduct which breaches our code or has acted contrary to the community standards or the high expectations of the club will be immediately stood down."
Dr Peponis spoke only hours after the first round of players, accompanied by lawyers, met with police in Sydney.
None of the players would say if they had submitted DNA samples to help clear their name, but barrister Jim Young said all players would help police with their inquiries.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister John Howard appealed to the public last night not to judge the entire game by the alleged behaviour of a few players.
"It's unfair on people who've not been accused of anything to generalise something like that to all people associated with rugby league," Mr Howard told reporters.
"At a time like this I stick up for the game, not put the boot in."
However, Sports Minister Rod Kemp said he was appalled by the reports and warned funding could be cut if action was not taken to punish any guilty players.
NRL chief executive David Gallop assured the state and Federal Governments that the league would take appropriate action.
The Bulldogs have completed their own investigation into the events at Coffs Harbour and chief executive Steve Mortimer, speaking before the board meeting, warned the club was prepared to take tough action.
"The action of my board ... will be sending a message to the players, the supporters and the public, the rugby league fans, that this behaviour will never ever be tolerated in the future," Mr Mortimer said.
Mr Gallop also said the league's internal investigation into the Bulldogs would be expanded to include new claims the club begged another woman not to go to police over rape allegations a year ago.
Dr Peponis strongly denied the club had attempted to cover-up that incident.
Aussie Rugby League players in big trouble. Naughty!
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