NRL 2020: Anthony Seibold rumours, Broncos coach hires lawyers

Anthony Seibold is reportedly set to pursue police action after a series of rumours about his private relationships spread on the internet.

Anthony Seibold at RedHill. Picture: Annette Dew

Broncos coach Anthony Seibold has hired legal representation to help him take police action over a series of rumours that have spread across the internet in recent days.

Rumours that have been seen on social media sites have made unsubstantiated accusations surrounding Seibold’s private life — claiming a major story was about to break surrounding the club.

The under-fire coach’s decision to hire Brisbane legal firm Howden Saggers to act on his behalf was first reported in The Daily Telegraph.

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The report indicates the legal representatives will make contact with Queensland Police to pursue an investigation into the allegedly slanderous rumours.

Seibold’s lawyer Dave Garratt said in a statement on Tuesday night: “This statement is to address the allegations which have been recently made in relation to Brisbane Broncos Coach, Anthony Seibold in the last twenty-four hours.

Anthony Seibold at Broncos training.

“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.”

The rumours were labelled “vile” on Tuesday night by Broncos great and NRL 360 host Ben Ikin.

Fox League co-host Paul Kent described the rumours as “bulls***”.

“The problem with the social media cesspit that we have to live in these days is that they (the rumours) go around and they continue to be speculated in a continual loop,” he said.

Rugby league guru Phil Gould took to Twitter on Tuesday night to describe the situation as a “disgrace”.

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“The scurrilous rumours circulating through social networks regarding Anthony Seibold are nothing short of a disgrace,” he said.

“Coaching an NRL football team is pressure enough. Subjecting this man to this kind of innuendo is a disgrace. Highly vindictive slander. #justplainwrong.”

Seibold remains in self isolation after breaking the club’s quarantine bubble over a private family matter.

The Broncos announced on Sunday that Seibold has been placed on a COVID-hold and will be out of action for two weeks.

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Broncos chief executive Paul White confirmed over the weekend Seibold did not return to Brisbane with his players after they were beaten by his former club South Sydney on Friday night. He has since returned to Brisbane.

“He expects to be able to return to Brisbane within 48 hours but in line with COVID regulations, he will need to self-isolate for 14 days once he is back in Queensland,” White said.

“Anthony will return to the Broncos after that. Assistant coach Peter Gentle will coach the team in Anthony’s absence.

“We are working with Anthony to give him all the support he and his family need at this time, and we ask media to respect his privacy.”

The Broncos also had three other members of the coaching staff, including club legend Alfie Langer, stood down and fined $5000 for breaking biosecurity protocols to attends Langer’s birthday bash at the Caxton Hotel.

It follows a report on Monday night that Seibold has become nervous of losing his job to former Brisbane great and Queensland State of Origin coach Kevin Walters.

Anthony Seibold with his wife Holly at the 2018 Dally M Awards. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Channel 9 reporter Danny Weidler told Nine’s 100% Footy, Seibold is “paranoid” about being replaced by Walters, despite the Broncos earlier this year announcing the former Rabbitohs coach’s job is safe until an end-of-season performance review.

Under Seibold, the Broncos have struggled through the club’s worst ever season — on and off the field.

“Anthony Seibold is going through some very difficult times at the moment with a personal family situation and he’s dealing with a lot of innuendo around that, unfairly in a lot of regards,” Weidler said.

“However, on a professional front, he is paranoid to the back teeth about Kevin Walters. He thinks that Kevin Walters has got this huge uprising of support — the old boys.

“He will discuss that quite openly with people and say that he’s worried about that.

“Paul Green is obviously going to be firmly in the market to coach the Broncos, as we’ve discussed before.

“But I think for his own wellbeing, Anthony Seibold needs to leave the Broncos and probably as soon as possible, so he can get on with his own life, look after his family and move forward from there.”