John Hopoate challenges NRL, crime commission to show proof of shady links

IT’S the secret police organised crime squad document that’s forced John Hopoate to be banned from coaching at the Manly Sea Eagles. Now the game’s bad boy says he’s the victim of bullying.

• Manly could lose points for Hopoate debacle
• Bid to ban John Hopoate overruled by NSWRL

IT is the secret document from the police organised crime squad that has forced footy bad boy John Hopoate to be banned from coaching at the Manly Sea Eagles.

The Daily Telegraph has obtained a copy of a letter sent to NRL integrity unit boss Nick Weeks from detective inspector Wayne Warpole of the State Crime Command, which lays out allegations of Hopoate’s links to organised crime.

Hopoate on Sunday emerged with his family from their weekly Mormon church gathering on Sydney’s north shore to speak for the first time and challenge the contents of the letter.

John Hopoate with wife Brenda and (from left) four of his 10 children — Albert, Maile, Pani and Lehi — outside their church in Greenwich. Picture: Brett Costello

“Will the NRL and the NSW Police please produce hard evidence,” Hopoate said.

“Make it public. Don’t hide behind some allegation that I am involved in organised crime.

“I don’t drink. I don’t smoke. I urge young people to stay away from drugs and I don’t gamble.”

The NRL has threatened to dock premiership points and fine Manly $30,000 if Hopoate continues to coach in the SG Ball, an under-18s competition for the best rookies on the northern beaches.

This despite the fact he’s coached children for the past ­21 years.

“God encourages me to talk to men about taking the right path in life but the NRL claims I am unfit to do the job,” Hopoate said.

The letter sent to NRL integrity unit boss Nick Weeks.

“I have been coaching kids since my son Will was four — that’s 21 years.

“Suddenly the integrity (unit) claim I can’t do it anymore even though they haven’t bothered to interview one parent of the hundreds and hundreds of kids I have coached.

“I have 10 kids of my own to look after with my darling wife Brenda.”

Today’s Daily Telegraph back page.

Hopoate told The Daily Telegraph that he was prepared to stand down, albeit reluctantly, to ensure the club wouldn’t lose competition points.

“Bob Fulton changed my life when he coached me as a young person and I know he is fighting hard for me now,” Hopoate said.

“That’s the Manly way, but I would never want to cost them a fine.”

Hopoate slammed the NRL, claiming other figures in the game had done much worse than he has.

The police document reveals that Hopoate is banned from Star casino for his alleged links to organised crime.

“People who have done far worse things are still involved in the game,” he said.

“I think this is bullying. Why is it one rule for John Hopoate and one for others?

“Club legends can be involved in drugs and embarrass women at airports and be allowed to showcase the game in front of millions.

“Players have served time in prison and been allowed back to play, which is giving people a second chance to do what they love.”

He admits he has been responsible for “dumb and stupid things” over the years but denies any involvement with criminals.

“I know I have done some bad stuff,” he said.

Hopoate called for proof of any wrongdoing.

“But I have paid all the fines and done all the suspensions. And I haven’t done anything in the last two years to make me a worse person.

“If I’ve done anything wrong, tell people. Tell me. Tell everyone.

“Why did the NRL hand-pick me to do a High-Performance Level Coaching Course last November if they weren’t going to let me coach?

“They gladly took my $400 to do it. You can’t pass a driving test and then suddenly be not allowed to drive!”