Victor Radley investigated over alleged headbutt in Rugby League World Cup altercation with James Bentley

Victor Radley is in the clear with the International Rugby League over his World Cup stink, but that doesn’t mean the NRL will not impose a punishment.

Victor Radley (centre) was allegedly in an altercation with Irish player James Bentley. Picture: Michael Steele/Getty Images

The NRL and English Rugby League have been left to get to the bottom of the World Cup stink between Victor Radley and James Bentley after the International Rugby League officially wiped their hands of the affair.

NRL officials reached out to their Rugby Football League counterparts on Tuesday evening (AEDT) seeking some clarity around the claims made against Radley, who was allegedly involved in an altercation with Ireland forward Bentley after England was eliminated from the tournament.

Sources close to the incident continue to insist that Radley was not the instigator, but was reacting to Bentley being the aggressor. There were suggestions on Wednesday morning (AEDT) that Bentley had reached out to apologise to Radley.

News Corp has spoken to those close to Radley and attempted to contact Bentley for his version of events, but he has failed to answer the phone or return text messages in the past 48 hours.

Rugby Football league chief executive Ralph Rimmer also ran a mile when quizzed over the Radley situation on Tuesday night (AEDT).

(L-R) Victor Radley and James Bentley.

Rimmer, who was in hot water himself after making some incendiary comments about the Fiji team at the start of the tournament, refused to discuss the matter when he attended the Golden Boot award.

He insisted he was only there to attend the Golden Boot awards before leaving the venue on his phone. International Rugby League officials also distanced themselves from the matter, insisting it was an England issue because Radley and his teammates had completed their tournament commitments.

Some of the England players returned to their team home hotel outside Manchester but the tab was being picked up by the RFL, not the World Cup organising committee.

The players were enjoying some drinks when an altercation ensued between Radley and Bentley. There have been various versions of what happened, but there has been one common theme – Radley was not the instigator and was merely reacting to Bentley being the aggressor.

Sources close to Radley and the England team revealed on Tuesday night (AEDT) that Bentley had head butted Radley and the Roosters star had reacted by lashing out at the Ireland forward.

“I saw the headlines and stuff like that,” Radley’s Roosters teammate Joey Manu said.

“Victor is a good guy so I don’t think he would start something that he doesn’t need to. He is a passionate guy. So if something is not being done right or crossing the line, he is going to stand up for his mate or someone he really likes.”

Victor Radley may still face sanction from the NRL. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

International Rugby League boss Troy Grant insisted the matter was no longer under their jurisdiction given England had completed their World Cup commitments when the incident took place.

“There’s an investigation underway to uncover all the facts of the matter which I don’t have at hand,” Grant said.

“Any misbehaviour and anything that reflects poorly on our sport, particular during a time of celebration over here is definitely disappointing.

“Now it’s a matter for the England Rugby League, the NRL and the Ireland Rugby League to sort out.”

Asked whether he was aware of what had happened, Grant said: “The facts that I’m aware of is that an invitation was extended to the Irish player who came into the English camp and team environment.

“I’m not sure how many remained with the English camp or who had moved back to their homes, but something has occurred.

“All players will get a chance to state their case, tell their stories to the appropriate authorities they report to.

“The NRL in relation to Victor will make a determination. The England Rugby League will make a determination as well and the Irish Rugby League will have to make a determination to their player.

There’s no disciplinary action available to us in this circumstance, nor are we looking to proceed with any investigation. The matter is in the hands of the other authorities.

“The NRL have been in contact. The NRL have been provided with what facts are known. They’ve been in contact, as I understand, with the English Rugby League.“

RADLEY FACES POSSIBLE NRL SANCTION OVER ALLEGED HEADBUTT

Victor Radley will face a potential sanction from the NRL who have launched an investigation into his alleged altercation with an Irish player.

The Ireland player at the centre of the World Cup altercation with Victor Radley allegedly tried to attack England coach Shaun Wane before he went after the Sydney Roosters star.

Sources close to the investigation into the incident at the England team hotel confirmed that Leeds and Ireland player James Bentley was left nursing a nasty cut to his face after venting his fury at Wane and then turning on Radley.

It is understood he was angry that he was overlooked for the England side. After giving Wane a serve, Radley then became the subject of his abuse and the Sydney Roosters star allegedly responded with a headbutt.

An NRL spokesman confirmed the integrity unit would investigate.

Victor Radley (centre) was allegedly in an altercation with Irish player James Bentley. Picture: Michael Steele/Getty Images

‘The NRL Integrity Unit is aware of the matter and liaising with Rugby League World Cup officials,” the spokesman said.

Radley has a $5000 fine hanging over his head after he was sanctioned by the NRL for his lewd dressing room antics during his short stint as a NSW squad member. The incident prompted NRL boss Andrew Abdo to meet personally with Radley who has courted trouble on occasion during his young career.

Radley was banned for two matches and fined $20,000 – half of which was suspended – after tackling a party gatecrasher in Byron Bay last summer. That suspended fine had lapsed his recent indiscretion in June.

Bentley was left worse for wear, leaving World Cup officials and the RFL to launch an investigation into the altercation, which took place at England’s former team hotel just outside Manchester on Monday morning (AEDT).

Bentley was believed to be the agitator after being invited back to the England team hotel by a member of the host nation’s squad. It is understood he was urged to leave the premises by England players and officials, who threatened to get the police involved unless he did so.

The World Cup and RFL confirmed that they had begun inquiries into the incident.

“The RLWC is aware of reported incidents and is in conversation with the respective parties to establish the circumstances,” a spokesman said.

“There will be no further comment at this time.”

James Bentley plays for the Leeds Rhinos in the Super League

The RFL also confirmed they were investigating the incident amid suggestions that police were called, a claim that was denied by sources close to the England team and the World Cup.

There were further suggestions that two of England’s other NRL players had been involved in a dust-up. News Corp spoke to one of the players allegedly involved and he vehemently denied anything had happened.

England were eliminated from the World Cup on Saturday night (AEDT) by Samoa, losing their semi-final at Emirates Stadium in London.

Some of the players then returned to Manchester, where they were staying at the hotel that England had previously used as their base.

News Corp understands that Samoa raised concerns about the presence of England players at the hotel given they had already been eliminated from the tournament.

There were unconfirmed reports that some England players were knocking on the doors of Samoan players in the middle of the night.

Radley was a shock selection in the England squad after pledging his allegiance to the land of his birth, having made the decision to turn his back on NSW and Australia.

He was one of the stars of the England squad as the host nation saved their worst for last, being knocked out of the tournament in golden point by Samoa last weekend.

With his tournament over, Radley can now focus on the Sydney Roosters and signing a new deal with the club – he is off contract at the end of this season and was able to sign with rival clubs on November 1.

Originally published as Victor Radley investigated over alleged headbutt in Rugby League World Cup altercation with James Bentley