Cronulla Sharks player Josh Dugan charged with breaching Covid orders

Josh Dugan has been charged by police after allegedly breaching the public health order and now the NRL integrity unit is investigating.

Cronulla Sharks player Josh Dugan has been charged with breaching Covid-19 laws after allegedly leaving Sydney without a reasonable excuse.

Dugan, 31, was stopped by police in Lithgow - two hours west of Sydney - about 11.30pm on Friday, August 20.

Dugan and his passenger, a 30-year-old man, were from Gymea and Alexandria respectively.

Cronulla Sharks player Josh Dugan was charged with breaching Covid-19 laws. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

The NRL player allegedly told police they were moving to the area and were going to feed animals, however later admitted they were heading to a friend’s house for the weekend.

Police directed both men to return home to Sydney.

But about 40 minutes later officers allegedly saw the same car travelling away from Sydney towards Yetholme.

They stopped Dugan and his passenger, and again directed them to return to their homes.

After further enquirers police visited Dugan at his home in Gymea about 8.40pm on Sunday and charged him with two counts of not complying with Covid public health orders.

The 30-year-old was also charged with the same offences.

Both Dugan and his passenger are due to appear before Lithgow Local Court on Thursday, October 7.

The NRL integrity unit is also investigating Dugan over the alleged Covid breaches.

Dugan was left home in Sydney while the rest of his Sharks teammates relocated to Queensland to take part in the NRL bubble.