Rabih Chamma charged over violent junior rugby league brawl at Bankstown granted access to attend matches

A father who was charged over his alleged involvement in a violent brawl at a junior rugby league match in Sydney’s southwest has made a successful bid in court to resume attending games as a spectator.

Rabih Chamma was charged over his alleged involvement in a violent brawl at a junior rugby league match.

A father who was charged over his alleged involvement in a violent brawl at a junior rugby league match at Bankstown last year has made a successful bid in court to resume attending games as a spectator.

Rabih Chamma, 38, was one of three people charged with affray following a melee at the under-13s Bankstown Bulls v Cabramatta semi-final at Ruse Park on August 24.

All three men previously pleaded not guilty at Bankstown Local Court and were granted strict conditional bail.

On Tuesday, Chamma applied to have his bail varied at Bankstown Local Court in a bid to resume attending his son’s junior rugby league matches.

Police prosecutor David Ghebranious opposed the application, submitting that Chamma’s presence at the matches could potentially be “inflammatory” to other spectators and lead to further offending.

Panania man Rabih Chamma leaves court. Picture: NewsLocal

Sgt Ghebranious told the court the risk was further exacerbated due to extensive media coverage of the alleged incident.

Video capturing the incident shows several people storming the pitch.

A screenshot from video footage of a violent brawl which erupted at the Bankstown Bulls v Cabramatta semi-final at Ruse Park on August 24, 2024. Picture: 7News

Officers were called to the home turf of the Bankstown Bulls Junior Rugby League Football Club about midday on Saturday, August 24 following reports of the brawl during the match.

Bankstown police officers were told several people involved in the incident had already left the area.

It is alleged Chamma and another co-accused used “unlawful violence” to attack a third person who was also charged over the affray.

However, on Tuesday, Chamma’s solicitor Bashaar Elkheir told the court there was no evidence to suggest his client instigated the alleged incident.

A screenshot from video footage of the brawl. Picture: 7News

Mr Elkheir said instead it was their position that Chamma attempted to break up the alleged altercation.

On Tuesday, Magistrate Glenn Walsh granted the variation, under the condition Chamma only attend matches when his son is playing and no other junior sporting events.

His matter is expected to return to court on June 12 for mention.

Originally published as Rabih Chamma charged over violent junior rugby league brawl at Bankstown granted access to attend matches