NRL: Dragons sack Paul Vaughan over Covid-breach party and sexting

Paul Vaughan has issued a grovelling apology after it emerged his lucrative contract had been terminated.

Paul Vaughan walks his dog near his Shellharbour home on Tuesday morning Picture: Simon Bullard/News Corp

St George Illawarra prop Paul Vaughan has issued a grovelling public apology, declaring his actions were “stupid, unexplainable and irresponsible” after it emerged his lucrative contract had been terminated for not just his recent biosecurity breach, but also an historical sexting scandal.

Vaughan, who was sacked by the Dragons at an extraordinary board meeting on Tuesday morning after his misguided decision to host a barbecue at his Shellharbour home on Saturday afternoon, acknowledged he should have known better and pleaded for the chance to show his remorse on the field.

“Firstly I am sorry,” Vaughan said.

“My actions were stupid, unexplainable and irresponsible. The events that took place on the weekend were thoughtless and disrespectful to not only the game that I love, but to all of the sponsors, members and fans as well as the broader community.

“The reality is, I should have known better and I am truly sorry. I have let a lot of people down through my actions, and I hope that this sincere apology shows how deeply sorry I am and that I realise the enormity and stupidity of what I have done.

“To say that I have learnt a lesson from this is an understatement. I hope one day in the future, I can get the opportunity to showcase my remorse through better actions on and off the field.

“Again, I apologise to my teammates, the NRL, the club, its members, sponsors and fans along with all stakeholders in the game and community.”

Vaughan later appeared on Fox League’s NRL 360, where he reiterated his regret at his actions in recent days.

“To be completely honest, it was more so to have the boys enjoying each other’s company,” Vaughan said.

“It was not the right thing to do. In hindsight, it was a very stupid thing to do.”

The Dragons held an emergency board meeting on Tuesday morning where the decision was made to sack Vaughan after he not only breached biosecurity protocols, but also government guidelines.

It was the final straw. According to a statement released by the Dragons on Tuesday afternoon, Vaughan had multiple breaches of his contract that predated the weekend.

One was well documented – Vaughan was fined last year for visiting a cafe in breach of biosecurity protocols. It also emerged he had been involved in a sexting scandal more than two years ago, which resulted in the club giving him a breach notice.

It meant the latest incident was his third breach, leaving the Dragons with little option but to terminate his deal.

“It is a decision that the board has made on not just this situation, but obviously there are two prior breaches that are also included Covid-related issues,” Dragons coach Anthony Griffin said.

“So from a board point of view they made that call which I support. As a member of the club really gutted we are in this situation but we have dealt with it now.

“On behalf of the club as coach, I suppose I apologise to our fans, members and sponsors that we are in this position. I think the club has dealt with it really strongly today and fairly.”

Vaughan has also been suspended for eight matches by the NRL and fined $50,000.

Vaughan has been sacked after hosting a party. Picture: Simon Bullard/News Corp

Vaughan has already been tried and found guilty in the court of public opinion, fans voicing their disgust at the behaviour of the 12 Dragons players who attended the party at Vaughan’s Shellharbour home.

The other players, among them Jack de Belin and Corey Norman, were also sanctioned by the club on Tuesday. De Belin, who only recently made his return after being sidelined for two years while he fought aggravated sexual assault charges, allegedly hid under a bed when police turned up at Vaughan’s house.

“It is like all of the players involved, it is disappointing,” Griffin said of de Belin.

“This is a totally separate issue (to the legal fight). Obviously Jack is not proud of what happened over the past couple of days. But as I said we have dealt with that. The legal issue he has dealt with was dealt in the right way with his legal people. The club supported him.”

Chief executive Ryan Webb added in relation to the previous breach: “They are not something we can talk about in detail in public.”

Webb and general manager of football Ben Haran called Vaughan to inform him of his fate following the board meeting. Vaughan, a former NSW State of Origin player, was due to be paid more than $800,000 next season and was still owed more than three months for this season, meaning he has foregone upwards of $1 million.

He can mitigate some of the financial damage if he can find another club, although his value has taken a significant hit and for all his talent, many rival sides will be scared off given his recent history.

Vaughan, pictured on Tuesday morning. Picture: Simon Bullard/News Corp

The remaining 12 players were issued with individual breach notices containing a confidential monetary fine that will be forwarded to selected local charities as well as compulsory extra-curricular club service.

“The board haven‘t taken any of the 13 players’ actions lightly and reinforced this on Tuesday morning by taking these additional actions including the termination of Paul Vaughan’s contract,” Webb said.

“The club maintains it holds no reservations over the punishments already handed down by the NRL Integrity Unit and New South Wales Police.

“These additional penalties have been determined in such a way that the beneficiaries will be those affected by the players’ misconduct.”