Wade Graham issued with infringement notice by police as Sharks CEO Lyall Gorman denies ‘incident’

THE Sharks have denied Wade Graham was involved in an incident with police. The only trouble is, police have confirmed he was, writes PHIL ROTHFIELD.

Lyall Norman Gorman, Group CEO of the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. Picture Gregg Porteous

THE Cronulla Sharks have denied their All Stars forward Wade Graham was involved in an incident with police after attending a wedding in Manly last weekend.

The only trouble is, police have confirmed he was.

We approached Sharks CEO Lyall Gorman on Friday after being tipped off Graham had been issued with a criminal infringement notice and police fine for offensive language.

Strangely, Gorman denied anything had happened.

“He hasn’t been issued any infringement notice or any sanction,” Gorman said.

“Nothing, not a thing, otherwise we’d have taken action ourselves. Thousand per cent, in his words, no. He was asked to move on and did so peacefully back to his hotel.”

Despite his denial to The Sunday Telegraph, Gorman actually reported the matter to the NRL integrity unit last Monday and said his club was investigating the incident in Manly.

So, to clear up the matter, we spoke to police who issued the following statement.

“Just after 11.30pm on Friday (February 5, 2016), officers patrolling Manly wharf spoke with a 25-year-old man,” the statement said.

Police have confirmed Wade Graham was involved in an incident last weekend.

“Police will allege the man was intoxicated and repeatedly swore in a public place.

“The man was given a move-along direction to leave the area.

“About 12am (Saturday February 6, 2016), officers allegedly found the same man attempting to enter nearby licensed premises.

“He was given a second move-along direction and was escorted from the area by police.

“The 25-year-old man was later issued with a Criminal Infringement Notice for offensive language. No further police action is expected to be taken.”

Lyall Norman Gorman, Group CEO of the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. Picture Gregg Porteous

On a scale of football player off-field dramas, this one is relatively minor, although disappointing from a senior player who has been earmarked as a future captain of the Sharks.

More concerning is Gorman’s attempt to deny anything happened without going to the trouble of contacting police to get their version of the story.

Originally published as Wade Graham issued with infringement notice by police as Sharks CEO Lyall Gorman denies ‘incident’