Coronavirus: NRL stars Latrell Mitchell, Josh Addo Carr disobey social distancing rules on camping getaway, fined $1000 each

Latrell Mitchell, Josh Addo-Carr, and Tyrone Roberts-Davis have been fined $1000 after allegedly breaching COVID-19 rules.

The image of Josh Addo-Carr (third from right) and Latrell Mitchell (fourth from right) during a camping trip on the NSW midnorth coast. Picture: Instagram

NRL trio Latrell Mitchell, Josh Addo-Carr, and Tyrone Roberts-Davis have been fined $1000 each by NSW Police after they allegedly breached COVID-19 health regulations.

Addo-Carr posted images on social media on Sunday of he and Mitchell surrounded by a group of 12 men during what appeared to be a weekend camping trip.

“three men – two aged 22 and one aged 24 – have been issued with $1000 PINs for failing to comply with a ministerial direction,” a police spokeswoman told The Australian. “The 24-year-old had previously received a warning for breaching the Public Health Act.”

Officers attached to Manning-Great Lakes Police District commenced an investigation into alleged breaches of the Public Health Act, which had been documented on social media, police said on Monday.

The trip, which violates social distancing laws against non-essential travel and gatherings of more than two people, was captured on Addo Carr’s Instagram, showing the men gathered around a campfire.

NSW Police are continuing to investigate the alleged use of a firearm by Addo-Carr on the property and the alleged illegal riding of trail bikes on a beach at South West Rocks on the state’s mid-north coast.

The NRL, meanwhile, has described the now-deleted images of South Sydney star Mitchell, Melbourne Storm winger Addo-Carr, and Newcastle’s Robert-Davis appearing to flout government COVID-19 guidelines as both “disappointing and an unacceptable breach of health orders.”

Addo-Carr posted images on social media on Sunday of he and Mitchell surrounded by others during what appeared to be a weekend camping trip. Addo-Carr also posted video of himself riding a motorbike without a helmet.

Mr Addo-Carr wrote on social media: “Blackfulla adventures Camping with the brothers on @iam_lm01 (Latrell Mitchell’s) property biripi country, throwing the bikes around & hunting, I’m next to buy a big property I think.”

The images could not have emerged at a worse time for the NRL given they are attempting to convince government authorities to clear the code for a return on May 28.

With that in mind, the NRL released a series of biosecurity measures over the weekend, including screening of player’s living arrangements and strict rules around social distancing.

However, the actions of Addo-Carr and Mitchell have cast fresh doubt over the capacity of the players to adhere to the strict guidelines.

“Our players are role models and we expect them to lead by example during this pandemic,” the NRL said in a statement.

“On face value, the image in today’s media is both disappointing and an unacceptable breach of health orders. The NRL will be speaking to the players involved to seek further information and we will ensure the players provide any assistance authorities require.

“We are embarking on a significant education program to ensure our players understand what is acceptable behaviour ahead of the resumption of training. When training resumes our players and officials must comply with biosecurity protocols that go further than current government restrictions.

“As a group, our players have taken government health orders very seriously and have helped educate the community. On face value, today’s matter is unacceptable and we support the government in any action they believe necessary.”

‘It was a cultural gathering’

Addo-Carr spoke to The Daily Telegraph on Monday morning, denying wrongdoing:

“They’re my family mate, my cousins and two of my uncles,” he said.

“I don’t know what to say. I came up here for my pregnant missus. She’s about to have a baby then spent some time with my family.”

A text sent to Daily Telegraph journalist Phil Rothfield shortly afterwards read: “Just touching on what we spoke about! Mate it was cultural gathering. Learning about our land and our culture, learning how to hunt live off the land, thank you take care.”

Police are reportedly investigating the issue, with local authorities to pursue any action that may be taken.

Another photo from Josh Addo Carr’s Instagram account.

South Sydney chief executive Blake Solly declined to comment but said he would speak to Mr Mitchell about the photo later today.

Mitchell, Addo-Carr apologise

Later on Monday Mr Mitchell took to Instagram to apologise for the camping trip.

“Firstly I just want to apologise for my actions this weekend,” he said.

“I just been up here with my family for four to five weeks practising that social distancing stuff and it was a little bit of a slip up.

“But like I said Foxy reached out, had his cousins that are going through a bit of stuff in Sydney so he just wanted to get away to the bush and make sure they are getting culturally connected again and that’s the whole concept of what this weekend was, wasn’t here to break any rules or hurt anyone.

“We are not being selfish, I couldn’t turn down the brothers in a time of need. Just wanted to let you know on behalf of me and Foxy and all my mob, we do apologise.”

Shortly afterwards Mr Addo-Carr also posted an apology, saying the pair did not “deliberately” break social distancing laws.

“Firstly, I’d like to apologise for my actions last weekend. Nothing was intentional or deliberate,” Addo-Carr said.

“A couple of family members of mine are going through a really tough time at the moment and I got in contact with Latrell to go out to his private property to try and connect to our culture again and to try and put a smile on their face and have a bit of fun as well.

“I can’t wait to finally go out there and play some footy. Like I said before, I’m really sorry from the bottom of my heart.”

Storm CEO unaware of trip

A copy of the photo was also shown to Melbourne Storm CEO Dave Donaghy, who said he was not aware of the trip.

Players are not due back at training until May 4, but must follow government guidelines.

NRL clubs face the possibility of fines and losing competition points if players endanger the competition by violating government guidelines and public health guidelines.

Mr V’landys previously warned that any players flaunting coronavirus rules will be dealt with swiftly. “There will be sanctions,” Mr V’landys said last week.

“There has to be a big deterrent because one reckless act will bring the game down.

“We will treat any breach very seriously and there will be sanctions. The level of the sanctions will depend on the consultation with the clubs.”

NSW Police deputy commissioner Gary Worboys said local police would “obviously” be deployed to speak with Addo-Carr and Mitchell.

“Police haven’t been backward at all in taking complaints, commencing investigations and taking the appropriate action.

“So at this point in time we will wait and see in the fullness of time about where we go with that matter,” he said.

“The matter will be investigated, what action is taken and will obviously fall out of that investigation.”

Asked if the public could trust the NRL to take COVID-19 seriously given the apparent rule-break, Premier Gladys Berejiklian said state and territory leaders would consider rules for all sporting codes later this week.

“I would suggest that what national cabinet determines will guide a lot of the codes and a lot of the sporting organisations into what expectations they can manage moving forward,” Ms Berejiklian said.