NRL to launch investigation into serious allegations against South Sydney, Sam Burgess

The NRL will launch a major investigation into serious allegations against Rabbitohs star Sam Burgess after a bombshell report.

The NRL will launch a major investigation into serious allegations against South Sydney rugby league club and former forward and development coach Sam Burgess.

ARLC chairman Peter V’landys said the explosive allegations of a Rabbitohs club cover-up of substance abuse, violence and harassment to protect Burgess, first published by The Australian, were “pretty serious”.

The allegations have been vehemently denied by Burgess’s lawyer.

The Rabbitohs are also accused of using fake identities to hide results for drug tests for illegal substances.

NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said the Integrity Unit would speak with South Sydney officials today.

“These allegations are very serious and I’ve instructed the Integrity Unit to investigate the claims as a priority. We will also seek the advice of police and other relevant authorities throughout this process,’’ he said.

“This is new information for the NRL and it is important we now gather the facts. The allegations have not yet been tested and due process will be followed as we undertake a thorough investigation.

“There is no place in our game for violence, harassment or abuse against women. If anyone is found guilty of these allegations we will take the strongest possible action.”

V’Landys confirmed a complaint was made against Burgess by “a young lady about two years ago that the NRL Integrity department didn’t move forward (with)”.

But he said the league would now look to obtain all possible details before making further comment.

“We’ll investigate them (claims), no doubt about that,’’ V’landys told 2GB on Friday.

Sam Burgess’s lawyer has vehemently denied allegations against him. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

“But I stress, all parties including the South Sydney club, Sam Burgess deserve due process and natural justice.

“Once we have all the information we’ll make the appropriate decisions.

“It would be totally inappropriate for me to comment on this particular case, I don’t have sufficient facts.
“And like anyone else in the community you have to provide due process and natural justice and Sam should be afforded that.

“But let me stress that the NRL has a zero tolerance and will always have a zero tolerance for violence against women and to children.

“But in this instance I think the appropriate action would be to investigate it, get all the facts and make a judgment after that.’’

V’landys said the NRL wasn’t aware of the alarming allegations “to my knowledge”.