Police investigate Brisbane Broncos over Everton Park Hotel session
A top cop says any Broncos players found to have breached COVID-19 restrictions by socialising at the Everton Park Hotel could face a fine or even a notice to appear in court depending on what evidence is disclosed. SEE WHO IS ACCUSED OF BEING AT THE PUB SESSION>>.
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Up to 10 Brisbane Broncos are under investigation by police over possible breaches to COVID restrictions in an incident that could put the NRL season in jeopardy.
The Courier-Mail can reveal a group of players are being investigated for socialising at the Everton Park Hotel the day after the July 31 clash with the Cronulla Sharks, in breach of the league’s strict agreement with Queensland Health.
Among the group were believed to be David Fifita, Kotoni Staggs, Jake Turpin and Corey Oates.
A patron at the Everton Park Hotel contacted The Courier-Mail with an eyewitness account, claiming several high-profile Broncos players were at the pub.
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“I was present at the Everton Park Hotel last Saturday (August 1) when approximately 10 Broncos players lunched and drank in the sports bar,” the onlooker said.
“Some of the players played the night before (against the Sharks at Suncorp Stadium).
“I spoke to the bar manager and she didn’t think they were allowed there either.
“It appears that they have no regard for the rules that are allowing them to continue playing in the current COVID environment.”
ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys said the NRL is aware of the matter and a spokesman said its integrity unit was investigating the matter.
“This is of concern and it will be investigated. I can’t comment any further,” V’landys said.
A statement from Broncos CEO Paul White said the club was aware of reports of an “alleged COVID breach by a group of players at the Everton Park Hotel”.
“The club has spoken at length to the players involved, who attended the hotel for lunch on Saturday, August 1 – after players and staff inside the club’s `COVID bubble’ had transitioned back into more-relaxed Project Apollo Queensland restrictions,” the spokesman said.
“The team had played Cronulla at Suncorp Stadium the night before, which marked the end of a 14-day hard lockdown put in place after the team travelled to Sydney for the Round 10 game against the West Tigers on July 17.
“The players were of the understanding that lunch at the hotel was permissible under the more-relaxed restrictions which they were under at the time.
“The club has been working closely with the NRL and provided a range of information as requested, and is awaiting a determination.”
Deputy Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said police were looking at members of the playing group.
He said they have had good cooperation from the hotel.
He said police were looking at “whether there is any evidence of any breach ... against the Chief Health Officer’s directions”.
He said whether they have breached the NRL’s regulations is a matter for the NRL.
Mr Gollschewski would not comment on whether the players signed into the hotel on the COVID register.
“It was a reasonably large group - we’re not certain about the numbers yet,” he said.
Mr Gollschewski said if Broncos players were found to have breached health guidelines, they could face a fine or even a notice to appear in court.
“It depends on what evidence is disclosed,” he said.
“We are still working through that as to whether there has (been a breach).
“We are being very thorough.
“As we have done with all of our investigations we make a decision on the nature of the breach.”
He said most people are given on-the-spot fines but if the behaviour is found to be more criminal, police can issue notices to appear.
A statement released by police said the Queensland Police Service was informed on August 9 about allegations of “multiple people breaching the public health directions at a hotel in Everton Park”.
“Officers from Task Force Sierra Linnet are still investigating the matter and no enforcement action by the QPS has been taken at this time,” the statement said.”As the investigation remains ongoing, the QPS is unable to provide further comment.”
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Sports Minister Mick de Brenni said it wouldn’t be appropriate for him to comment, citing the investigation.
“The Chief Health Officer gave them exemptions to be able to run the competition here in Queensland,” he said.
“That has some very specific rules and it’s up to all of the codes to meet those rules.
“The Broncos and the NRL are no different, we expect them to comply with all of those arrangements.”
Mr de Brenni said he was sure professional sports people subject to exemptions were watching the investigation very closely.
Deputy Premier and Health Minister Steven Miles said authorities had been clear all along that being able to run a competition was a privilege.
“To be fair to them (Broncos), they have been enforcing it,” he said.
It comes as officials – and even the Premier – warned the league it was on its last chance following a series of breaches involving players and coaches in recent days.
It is understood the Everton Park Hotel investigation is in the hands of police.
Witnesses have told The Courier-Mail “up to 10” players were allegedly gathered at the pub.
In a separate COVID breach at the weekend, Tevita Pangai Jnr attended the opening of a barber shop linked to the Mongols bikie gang.
CCTV footage revealed the star player took a personally signed Brisbane jersey to the shop to give to a mate.
The Broncos are set to sack Pangai Jnr – tearing up his $650,000 contract – despite him saying he was there to get a haircut.
In another COVID bubble breach, Brisbane trainer Alfie Langer and conditioning duo Ryan Whitley and Blake Duncan were stood down after they attended a birthday bash at the Caxton hotel.
The venue is under police investigation for breaching health directives for not complying with a COVID plan after Langer was snuck in the back of the venue.
NRL teams must operate under strict rules – essentially confining them to their homes, training and games – because they are coming into contact with players who have travelled from interstate coronavirus hotspots.
Teams travelling into Queensland have been given exemptions from quarantine, provided players and coaches remain within a “bubble” and don’t interact with the community.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk issued a stern warning two days ago that teams doing the wrong thing were putting the season in jeopardy.
“I will be reminding the NRL the future of the season is in their hands. Everyone has to do the right thing,” she said.
“Nothing is more important than protecting the health of Queenslanders.”
Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys also issued a stern warning in recent days, saying the agreement with the Queensland Government “could be withdrawn any day”.
“We will increase financial penalties to act as a deterrent because these people are being selfish,” he said.
“It’s concerning because the whole competition is at stake.”
*Broncos forward Tevita Pangai Jnr has been stood down and is set to be sacked after attending the opening of a barber shop on Saturday linked to the Mongols outlaw motorcycle gang.
*South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett was fined $20,000 and stood down for 14 days after he had lunch at a restaurant in inner-west Sydney.
*St George Illawarra forward Paul Vaughan was stood down for 14 days and handed a $10,000 sanction for having breakfast at a cafe.
*Brisbane trainer Alfie Langer and conditioning duo Ryan Whitley and Blake Duncan were put on a “COVID hold” and fined $5000 each after they attended a birthday bash at the Caxton Hotel.
*Two Newcastle Knights players, Starford To’a and Simi Sasagi, were put on “COVID hold” after they attended a game against the rules. The club self-reported the breach. They have since returned to training after the risk was deemed “negligible”.
Originally published as Police investigate Brisbane Broncos over Everton Park Hotel session