Josh Addo-Carr and Latrell Mitchell caught breaking COVID-19 rules
Josh Addo-Carr is under police investigation for alleged firearm use on his camping trip with Latrell Mitchell that violated COVID-19 protocols and have led NSW police to fine the pair and Tyronne Roberts-Davis $1000.
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Police are investigating the alleged use of a firearm by Josh Addo-Carr during a weekend camping trip to the NSW mid-north coast where the NRL star broke COVID-19 protocols.
The Daily Telegraph understands Melbourne Storm winger Addo-Carr, South Sydney Rabbitoh Latrell Mitchell and the Newcastle Knights’ Tyronne Roberts-Davis will be fined $1000 for breaching COVID-19 health regulations after Addo-Carr posted photos to his Instagram account.
Police have spoken to all three players on Monday afternoon following the posting of photographs on social media and informed them of the breaches.
Northern Region police are continuing to investigate the alleged use of a firearm by Addo-Carr on the property and the alleged illegal riding of trail bikes on a beach at South West Rocks.
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They are also attempting to identify other men in the social media photographs before handing out further fines for breaching the tough coronavirus restrictions.
Latrell Mitchell has taken to social media to apologise for breaching social distancing on the weekend.
Mitchell and Melbourne Storm flyer Josh Addo-Carr were photographed with a group of 10 other men on a camping trip on the NSW midnorth coast.
The Rabbitohs centre revealed he was helping out Addo-Carr, who had reached out to him for support, and insisted he wasn’t being “selfish”.
“Firstly I just want to apologise for my actions this weekend,” Mitchell said in an Instagram video.
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“I just been up here with my family for four to five weeks practising that social distancing stuff and it was a little bit of a slip up.
“But like I said Foxy reached out, had his cousins that are going through a bit of stuff in Sydney so he just wanted to get away to the bush and make sure they are getting culturally connected again and that’s the whole concept of what this weekend was, wasn’t here to break any rules or hurt anyone.
“We are not being selfish, I couldn’t turn down the brothers in a time of need. Just wanted to let you know on behalf of me and Foxy and all my mob, we do apologise.”
Minutes later Addo-Carr also posted a video apology and said neither he nor Mitchell were trying to “deliberately” flout the social distancing laws.
“Firstly, I’d like to apologise for my actions last weekend. Nothing was intentional or deliberate,” Addo-Carr said.
“A couple of family members of mine are going through a really tough time at the moment and I got in contact with Latrell to go out to his private property to try and connect to our culture again and to try and put a smile on their face and have a bit of fun as well.
“I can’t wait to finally go out there and play some footy. Like I said before, I’m really sorry from the bottom of my heart.”
The NRL expressed its disappointment at the pair’s weekend camping getaway.
On the day the NRL introduced new biosecurity measures at the 16 clubs, the Rabbitohs and Melbourne Storm players were on Mitchell’s farm near Taree with a group of 12 men.
They clearly ignored the strict COVID-19 social distancing rules in a photo taken by a camp fire that Addo-Carr posted on social media along with other pictures of them on motor bikes and shooting.
Newcastle are also investigating Tyronne Roberts-Davis’ involvement, after the Knights’ NRL squad member was seen in one of the photos.
“Our players are role models and we expect them to lead by example during this pandemic,” an NRL statement said.
“On face value, the image in today’s media is both disappointing and an unacceptable breach of health orders. The NRL will be speaking to the players involved to seek further information and we will ensure the players provide any assistance authorities require.
“We are embarking on a significant education program to ensure our players understand what is acceptable behaviour ahead of the resumption of training. When training resumes our players and officials must comply with biosecurity protocols that go further than current government restrictions.
“As a group, our players have taken government health orders very seriously and have helped educate the community. On face value, today’s matter is unacceptable and we support the government in any action they believe necessary.”
Addo-Carr spoke to the Daily Telegraph on Monday morning and denied he’d done the wrong thing.
“They’re my family mate, my cousins and two of my uncles,” he said.
“I don’t know what to say. I came up here for my pregnant missus. She’s about to have a baby then spent some time with my family.”
The Storm winger sent a text message 15 minutes later: “Just touching on what we spoke about! Mate it was cultural gathering. Learning about our land and our culture, learning how to hunt live off the land, thank you take care.”
The Rabbitohs later released a statement about Mitchell’s involvement.
“Our club and players have taken the government health orders very seriously, and on a number of occasions have helped educate and support the community through this period,” the statement said.
“We will ensure Latrell provides any assistance authorities require and accept any action the government believes necessary.”
Melbourne Storm also responded later on Monday.
“Our expectation is that players and staff will act as role models and support community measures taken to eradicate COVID-19 (coronavirus),” a Storm statement said.
“Storm supports the steps being finalised by the NRL in order to resume the 2020 competition. Players will be fully briefed on these protocols once they return to the Club ahead of the recommencement of the NRL season.
“Any potential penalty regarding the weekend matter resides with the relevant authorities.”
The Rugby League Player’s Association also weighed in.
“We have reached out to both players to better understand the circumstances,” the RLPA said.
“The NRL and RLPA agreed on protocols to apply during the suspension of the competition to protect the health and safety of our players, clubs and officials.
“Players are expected to adhere to the protocols, as well as the government’s community restrictions during this time.
“The RLPA takes these matters seriously and will continue to work with players, clubs and the NRL regarding this situation.”
The Daily Telegraph sent a copy of the photo to ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys on Sunday night.
Clubs face hefty fines and the possibility of losing competition points if players break the COVID-19 rules.
Addo-Carr wrote on social media: “Blackfulla adventures Camping with the brothers on @iam_lm01 (Latrell Mitchell’s) property biripi country, throwing the bikes around & hunting, I’m next to buy a big property I think.”
There are also videos of Addo-Carr and Mitchell riding motorbikes without helmets.
Storm CEO Dave Donaghy was shown a copy of the photo on Sunday night.
“I wasn’t aware of this photo,” he said. “I’ve not spoken to Josh for a while. I can’t provide any context to it.
“Our players have been absent from the club since the season was suspended late last month, but when they are back on deck for the recommencement of the season they’ll be fully briefed regarding the protocols being implemented by the NRL and clubs.”
The Daily Telegraph attempted to contact South Sydney boss Blake Solly and Mitchell’s manager Matt Rose for an explanation.
Players have been released by their clubs and are not due back at training until May 4 but are expected to obey government guidelines.
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Government guidelines state, people can only leave the house for:
# going to work or education (if you are unable to do so at home);
# shopping for essential supplies such as groceries, return home without delay;
# going out for personal exercise in the neighbourhood, on your own or with one other; or
# attending medical appointments or compassionate visits.
They are also expected to stay 1.5 metres away from others.
NSW Police deputy commissioner Gary Worboys said local police would “obviously” be deployed to speak with Addo-Carr and Mitchell.
“Police haven’t been backward at all in taking complaints, commencing investigations and taking the appropriate action.
“So at this point in time we will wait and see in the fullness of time about where we go with that matter,” he said.
“The matter will be investigated, what action is taken and will obviously fall out of that investigation.”
Asked if the public could trust the NRL to take COVID-19 seriously given the apparent rule-break, Premier Gladys Berejiklian said state and territory leaders would consider rules for all sporting codes later this week.
“I would suggest that what national cabinet determines will guide a lot of the codes and a lot of the sporting organizations into what expectations they can manage moving forward,” Ms Berejiklian said.
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