Sam Burgess stands down from Rabbitohs, Fox Sports roles as NSW Police, NRL integrity unit launch probes

NSW Police and the NRL integrity unit have launched separate probes into damning allegations made against the former England international.

Former Souths star Sam Burgess will be the subject of an NRL investigation.

Sam Burgess has stepped away from his duties with South Sydney and Fox Sports after the NRL and NSW Police announced investigations into allegations of domestic violence and drug abuse by the former Rabbitohs superstar.

South Sydney’s board held a three-hour meeting on Friday morning after The Australian published claims the club had been party to a cover-up designed to protect their captain and highest-profile player.

They emerged from that meeting to confirm they would co-operate fully with an investigation by the NRL integrity unit. Earlier, NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo and ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys had both addressed the allegations, which followed a four-month investigation that uncovered a myriad of evidence including pharmaceutical records, sworn statements to NSW Police, witness ­accounts, emails and text messages.

ARU chairman Peter V’landys. Picture. Phil Hillyard

“These are very serious allegations so it is important we stay calm and conduct a thorough investigation,” Mr Abdo said.

“We will look to work with the club to find out what happened and get to the bottom of the facts. We will also co-operate with NSW Police who have also begun an investigation into the matter.

“The NRL, the commission do not condone violence, abuse or intimidation of anyone, let alone women. We also do not condone the abuse of drugs.”

NSW Police also revealed it had launched its own investigation. “On Wednesday 30 September 2020, officers from The Hume Police District received a report outlining various allegations relating to the conduct of a 31-year-old man,” a spokesperson said.

“Police have commenced inquiries and as these inquiries are in their infancy, no further comment will be provided at this time.”

The Australian’s investigation revealed episodes of alleged domestic violence by Burgess against his estranged wife Phoebe and accusations of drug-taking benders.

Mr V’Landys said: “Let me stress that the NRL has a zero tolerance, and will always have a zero tolerance, for violence against women.”

The Australian also revealed that South Sydney doctor Andrew McDonald treated Burgess in an attempt to calm him during an alleged drug-fuelled episode in late-2018, injecting him with liquid tranquilliser but allegedly writing the prescription in another person’s name.

Former Souths head of football Shane Richardson, whose relationship with Burgess has been strained in recent times, said he was unaware of the alleged incident. “I have no knowledge of the incident,” Richardson said.

“I know nothing about the incident and I was never spoken to by the doctor about it.”

Burgess has previously spoken of his relationship with McDonald, who has been the club’s medico for more than 20 years and helped the Englishman as he dealt with knee, neck, ankle and shoulder injuries over the course of his career.

Asked whether the NRL would take any action against the Souths doctor, Mr Abdo said: “I haven’t spoken to the club specifically about what action they are planning to take with the doctor.

Sam Burgess.

“We’re not standing anyone down at this point because they are allegations. I have said this before — our players, our officials and everyone in sport has an ability to make a difference in society.

“We will continue to work hard to make sure we are doing everything we can to create a safer and better society for everyone.”

The damning allegations come on the eve of the NRL finals for the Rabbitohs, who open their finals campaign against Newcastle on Sunday. Before standing down from the club on Friday, Burgess was due to be involved, having taken on a role on the coaching staff in retirement.

The Australian’s investigation uncovered evidence that officials at the club were aware of Burgess’s alleged party drug use and troubled off-field lifestyle, but still promoted him to captain for the following season. While the NRL has decalred it was unaware of any of the allegations, it has promised to investigate and the Rabbitohs released a statement on Friday afternoon offering their full support to the league’s integrity unit.

“The allegations in today’s The Australian newspaper are very concerning and the club is treating them with the utmost seriousness,” the statement said.

“There is no place in our society for violence, harassment or abuse against women. If anyone is found guilty of allegations of this nature, the club will take the strongest possible action.

“The club takes issues of drug-use very seriously and has well-established policies and procedures in place around the use of performance-enhancing or illicit/recreational/prescription drugs.

“The club will continue to work closely with ASADA and the NRL which administer testing of the players. The club will also continue to work with the playing group to support their wellbeing and educate them about drug use.

“The Rabbitohs welcome the NRL integrity unit’s investigation in relation to these allegations and will fully co-operate with the investigation. The club is supportive of Sam Burgess’s decision to step down from his role at the club while the NRL integrity unit investigation is underway.”