Up to 10 Brisbane Broncos players are under review after pub visit

The Brisbane Broncos and NRL are investigating allegations of a biosecurity breach by players after a pub visit.

Broncos players are under investigation for a potential Covid breach. Picture: Annette Dew

Brisbane and the NRL are investigating reports of an alleged breach of COVID rules by as many as 10 of their players at a hotel earlier this month.

The Broncos released a statement confirming they had spoken at length to the players involved, who went to the Everton Park Hotel for lunch on August 1 – the same day that players and staff inside the club’s “COVID bubble” had transitioned into the lighter Project Apollo restrictions.

“The team had played Cronulla at Suncorp Stadium the night before, which marked the end of a 14-day hard lockdown put in place after the team travelled to Sydney for the Round 10 game against the West Tigers on July 17,” the statement said.

“The players were of the understanding that lunch at the hotel was permissible under the more-relaxed restrictions which they were under at the time.

“The club has been working closely with the NRL and provided a range of information as requested, and is awaiting a determination.”

It is understood the players were cleared to have lunch in the restaurant area of the hotel under the requirements.

However, they were not cleared to be in the bar or poker machine areas.

The Broncos have been in the spotlight followed recent biosecurity breaches involving club legend Allan Langer and forward Tevita Pangai Jr. The Australian was told Pangai was not among the group of players who attended the hotel on August 1.