NRL 2023: Integrity Unit investigate Parramatta Eels over alleged misbehaviour

The NRL Integrity unit is investigating alleged misbehaviour by Parramatta Eels players, after media representatives were subjected to bizarre cat and dog noises.

The NRL integrity unit is aware of alleged misbehaviour by Parramatta players at a mandatory Eels media session on Wednesday which prompted skipper Clint Gutherson to step in and gag offending teammates.

Members of the media were interviewing senior forward Shaun Lane at the club’s Kellyville base on Wednesday, just hours after teammate Dylan Brown faced court over charges of sexually touching a woman, for which he was later subsequently stood down under the NRL’s no-fault stand-down policy.

However, some Parramatta players didn’t appear to understand the seriousness of the situation, making cat and dogs calls from inside the adjacent demountable buildings.

One player in the background was heard calling out “meow, meow, meow” in audio that was aired on Channel 7 on Wednesday night.

Parramatta players allegedly made cat and dog calls toward journalists at the club’s Kellyville base. Picture: Getty Images.

Some Parramatta officials heard the noises, which prompted Gutherson to step in and tell teammates to stop their taunting.

The players’ juvenile antics were picked up through the sound effect microphones of some media outlets. Channels 7, 10, 9 and Fox Sports were at the media opportunity, although representatives from the latter two organisations said they did not hear the players’ noises.

NRL CEO Andrew Abdo has been made aware of the players’ behaviour and the governing body reached out to several reporters on Wednesday night.

The NRL integrity contacted some of the journalists seeking further background. The journalists were told the integrity unit would contact the club requesting answers.

.@TheParraEels rugby league star Dylan Brown has been stood down by the @NRL, accused of sexually touching a woman during a night out in Double Bay. The 22-year-old fronted court today, and is now sidelined from playing until the matter is resolved. https://t.co/I1hKmxXVnW#7NEWSpic.twitter.com/WdRb6rCk8V

— 7NEWS Sydney (@7NewsSydney) June 7, 2023

Although, it doesn’t appear the players’ noises were directed at the reporters, rather their teammates.

Parramatta’s media department representatives said they asked the offending players to quiet down.

One reporter at Kellyville said: “It was bizarre behaviour to be making cat and dog noises through the windows, especially given the serious nature of why we were there.

“It made everyone feel uncomfortable. We were unsure why it wasn’t addressed.”

Parramatta play Canterbury next Monday on the King’s Birthday holiday.

Originally published as NRL 2023: Integrity Unit investigate Parramatta Eels over alleged misbehaviour