Brisbane Broncos coach Anthony Seibold calls police over vicious rumours

Anthony Seibold has been forced to hire lawyers and called in police to investigate slanderous posts about the embattled Brisbane coach doing the rounds on social media.

Brisbane Broncos coach Anthony Seibold.

Embattled Broncos coach Anthony Seibold has called in police to investigate slanderous posts on social media about his personal life.

Seibold has hired Brisbane legal firm Howden Saggers to take his case to cyber security experts at Queensland Police to try to track down the people responsible.

The Broncos coach is in isolation at his Brisbane home for 14 days and under siege from scurrilous comments over the last 48 hours since he attended to a personal family issue last Friday night in Sydney after the loss to the Rabbitohs.

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Broncos coach Anthony Seibold has engaged lawyers. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

A shattered Seibold spoke to News Corp on Tuesday night but refused to comment on the record.

The comments have horrified his family who are already dealing with other personal issues.

His legal firm released the following statement.

“This is to address the allegations which have been recently made in relation to Brisbane Broncos Coach, Anthony Seibold in the last twenty-four hours,” the statement said.

“Due to the allegations which have circulated online and in other forums, Mr. Seibold has engaged Dave Garratt of Howden Saggers Lawyers to act on his behalf.

“At the appropriate time, this matter will be reported to the Queensland Police Service and other appropriate authorities for their consideration.

“Given the nature of these matters both personal and legal, no further comment will be made until such time as it has been considered by the Queensland Police Service and other appropriate authorities.”

Broncos players have thrown their support behind Anthony Seibold. Picture: Annette Dew

Broncos chairman Karl Morris said: “I’ve been worried about Anthony’s well-being.

“’Seibs’ is back in Brisbane with his family. He is a resilient guy, we just want our coach to have a week’s break and we are supporting him the best way we can.”

The players are rallying around the coach.

“We send our love and support to Seibs,” said Joe Ofahengaue at training, “Whatever he stepped out of the bubble for, whatever reason, we send our support to him.”

Seibold has resorted to virtual coaching as interim Broncos coach Peter Gentle takes the reins for Saturday’s clash with Canberra.

He continues to help via online video calls with Gentle.

Seibold helped put together the players’ weekly video review session on Tuesday morning while also making daily calls to his coaching staff.

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“I’m pretty sure that all the video we watched this morning came from coach (Seibold),” said Ofahengaue, who plays his 100th NRL game this weekend.

“I don’t know whether they do Skype calls or whatever but pretty sure (he’s still in daily contact).

“He’s got good staff around him that we all trust. Pete Gentle is doing an awesome job with us. He’s adding games during our session to lighten up the mood.”

Gentle’s first job is bringing Indigenous All-Star representative Jordan Riki into the side to make his NRL debut against the Raiders this weekend.

Experienced forward Ben Te’o replaces the axed Tevita Pangai Jr in the backrow in the other major change to Brisbane’s pack following last week’s 28-10 loss to the Rabbitohs.

Originally published as Brisbane Broncos coach Anthony Seibold calls police over vicious rumours