NRL sex tape scandal: Integrity unit investigating high-profile player
The Parramatta player under investigation over a leaked video of him having sex in a public toilet.
NRL
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The NRL might sanction and fine a Parramatta Eels star who was filmed having sex in a public toilet.
Parramatta issued a statement saying the club was taking the “matter very seriously” but declined to publicly name the player involved.
Video of the act has emerged showing the footballer, who will play a key role in Parramatta’s premiership bid this season, and a woman engaging in sex in a toilet cubicle at an undisclosed venue.
The NRL Integrity Unit launched an investigation into the incident on Wednesday.
The video footage lasts just five seconds and was filmed by a bystander over the cubicle wall.
Given the player was apparently unaware he was being filmed, the NRL may show some financial leniency with the size of the fine and he will not be suspended.
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The Integrity Unit has contacted the club in an attempt to secure more details. Eels players are in Darwin preparing for Friday night’s match against Brisbane.
The blonde-haired woman in the video appears to have removed her top. There appeared to be two other men in the toilets at the time when the sex act was occurring.
The player was unaware the phone vision was taken and distributed.
There was anger in rugby league circles on Wednesday about the motive of the person who filmed the pair.
Given the toilet cubicle door was closed, the sex was not an illegal act, but it is an offence to film a person in a private act without consent.
It is also an offence to possess a recording created without consent and to communicate or publish an illegally created tape.
Parramatta issued a statement on Wednesday saying: “The Club has become aware of a video involving one of its players.
“We understand that those on the video have been illegally filmed by another person without consent and that an attempt has been made to distribute the video to media outlets and on social media platforms.
“The club has informed the NRL Integrity Unit and is taking the matter very seriously, particularly given the potential invasion of privacy of those involved. The club will not be making any further comment.”
NRL management declined to comment but have expressed frustration that the player put himself in a position where the game’s image could be tarnished.
RLPA chief executive Clint Newton said: “We will continue to monitor this matter and work with the relevant parties involved, particularly given the concerns raised regarding the potential invasion of privacy.”
Speaking on The Big Sports Breakfast radio program, former Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke said: “Seriously I don’t get it. Does he not have a house for starters? Like, go home. What are you doing in a toilet?”
The player was spotted recently drinking with Eels teammates at the Bella Vista Hotel.
Parramatta halfback Mitchell Moses insists any NRL Integrity Unit investigation involving the Eels will not be a “distraction” for his side.
The news of the investigation broke while the Eels were in the air flying to Darwin. The team was met at Darwin Airport by a sizeable media pack.
“I don’t think it is any distraction at all, the club will work through it … whatever they decide, whatever happens, happens. We are here to play footy and that’s our focus this weekend,” Moses said.
Around 100 members and corporate sponsors also travelled with the team to the Northern Territory.
Forward Shaun Lane said despite the distractions, the four-day camp would only galvanise the already “tight knit” group.
Last year, Broncos star Kotoni Staggs was cleared of any wrongdoing by the NRL after a video emerged of the centre engaged in a sex act was leaked.
The video released without Staggs’ consent.
The woman in the video was fined $600 after pleading guilty in a Brisbane Magistrates Court to distributing a prohibited visual recordings.
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