Brisbane Broncos star arrested and detained over alleged Bali assault

Brisbane Broncos young gun David Fifita remains under police detainment in Bali as his lawyer attempts to downplay the incident.

Brisbane Broncos star David Fifita remains under police detainment in Bali after being accused of assault.

The 19-year-old superstar of the NRL was reportedly arrested on Saturday morning after a brawl broke out outside of La Favela nightclub in Seminyak.

Fifita was reportedly arrested at the scene and was waiting to be questioned by police, at this time he has not been charged.

Kuta police say it was about 1.50am when a security guard at La Favela was “hit in the face by a foreigner”.

Fifita’s lawyer, Muhamma Rifan, spoke to reporters regarding the incident and stated the issue is “not really a big case” and the teenage superstar “doesn’t remember” hitting a security guard.

“His case is not really a big case, it’s only some misunderstanding and that we hope we can solve immediately,” Rifan said.

“He doesn’t remember because it was too quick and fast. Maybe something like that (is a) misunderstanding.”

UPDATE: Lawyer for David Fifita says the Bronco “doesn’t remember” hitting Bali security guard because “it was too quick and fast” and case is a “misunderstanding that can be solved immediately”. pic.twitter.com/uraXqTUuAr

— Renae Henry (@renaehenry9) November 9, 2019

The Broncos released a statement shortly after the news came to light and were sending a club official over to Bali to help with the situation.

“The Brisbane Broncos have today been made aware that David Fifita has been detained by authorities in Bali after an alleged incident involving a security guard,” the Broncos said in a statement on Saturday.

“The club is working with representatives in Bali to provide David all the supporting he needs, and a Broncos official is travelling to Indonesia today.

“The club will provide more updates as information becomes available.”

The NRL said they are aware of the incident.

“The integrity unit are working with the Brisbane Broncos and authorities to determine what has happened,” an NRL spokesperson told AAP.

Fifita remains under police detainment in Bali.

Channel 7 obtained a statement from Kuta police chief Puta Ika Prabawa.

“Based on report, police went to the crime scene, asking witnesses and the victim. A bule (foreigner) that was allegedly the perpetrator was arrested,” a statement from Kuta police chief Puta Ika Prabawa read, according to Channel 7.

“The perpetrator was taken to Kuta police station for further investigation.

“The alleged perpetrator could not be interrogated yet as he is still under the influence of alcohol.”

CCTV footage obtained by Channel 9 seems to show Fifita on the back of a scooter before the alleged assault.

Brisbane Broncos star David Fifita is in police custody in Bali.#9WWOS #NRL pic.twitter.com/E2HmREpu8n

— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) November 9, 2019

The teenager has only played 35 NRL games, but has already played representative football for Queensland, the Prime Minister’s XIII, indigenous All Stars and Australia and will turn out for the Junior Kangaroos against France in Wollongong.

The Sydney Roosters and South Sydney Rabbitohs are among 10 clubs who have expressed an interest for Fifita, who is contracted with the Broncos for 2020.

Both clubs freed up room in their caps with the retirements of Cooper Cronk and Sam Burgess and it’s expected he’s set to earn as much as $1 million a year.

Fifita in action for the Kangaroos.

The nightclub is the same one where Melbourne Storm player Nelson Asofa-Solomona was involved in a brawl last month.

Asofa-Solomona was not charged over the incident and returned to Australia, but was handed a three-game ban by the NRL’s integrity unit.

Asofa-Solomona will have to keep his nose clean after having a suspended $15,000 fine levied after dramatic vision showed the Kiwi prop throwing punches after teammate Suliasi Vunivalu was allegedly the victim of a coward punch attack in Bali.

It has emerged Vunivalu was allegedly hit by an unprovoked man before the altercation, triggering Asofa-Solomona’s reaction to try and defend his teammate.

Originally published as Brisbane Broncos star arrested and detained over alleged Bali assault