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Sam Burgess DELETED by NRL after ex-wife Phoebe accused him of domestic abuse


The NRL cleared Sam Burgess of domestic violence allegations made by his ex-wife Phoebe more than a year ago in an explosive series of articles.

Phoebe has accused the retired South Sydney star of domestic violence as well as drug and alcohol abuse during their marriage, which ended in late 2019.

The allegations were published in The Australian in October 2020 and were vehemently denied by Burgess at the time.

After more than 12 months of reviewing statements New South Wales Police confirmed their investigation was concluded last October in a 12-word statement.

‘Following extensive investigations, police are not expected to take any further action.’

The NRL followed suit five months later but looks set to fine Burgess up to $30,000 for other off-scene violations including driving with cocaine in his system.

The Australian also accused the one-time Souths captain of waiting outside the home of then-Roosters player Billy Smith, who knew a woman who was involved in a 2018 sex scandal with Burgess.

The NRL has cleared Sam Burgess of domestic violence allegations made more than a year ago by his ex-wife Phoebe.  Burgess is pictured with the former couple's children Poppy, four, and Billy, two

The NRL has cleared Sam Burgess of domestic violence allegations made more than a year ago by his ex-wife Phoebe.  Burgess is pictured with the former couple's children Poppy, four, and Billy, two

The NRL has cleared Sam Burgess of domestic violence allegations made more than a year ago by his ex-wife Phoebe. Burgess is pictured with the former couple’s children Poppy, four, and Billy, two

Phoebe accused the retired NRL star of domestic violence and alcohol and drug abuse during their marriage. The allegations were published in The Australian last October and were vehemently denied by Burgess at the time. Sam and Phoebe taken in 2016

9th Rugby League correspondent Danny Weidler revealed the possible fine on Friday and wrote on Twitter that the NRL could suspend Burgess for three months.

The NRL had previously confirmed to Daily Mail Australia that it had no jurisdiction over Orara Valley Axemen, the NSW north central coast club where Burgess is coaching.

Burgess’ attorney, Chris Murphy, first revealed NSW Police had closed its investigation into his client in a Twitter post on October 21 last year.

He wrote: ‘The media claims against my client Sam Burgess.

NSW Police Operations Legal Advice has recommended no criminal prosecution against Sam Burgess in connection with these charges.

‘That now ends this investigation.’

Mr Murphy’s company has been acting for Burgess through a series of legal issues the former Souths captain has faced over the past 17 months.

“A lot of hurt and harm has been done to Sam Burgess,” he wrote on Twitter in a follow-up post.

‘He was damaged. He wants the public to be made aware that the allegations have been thoroughly and extensively examined by NSW Police and there is nothing for him to be called to answer. ‘

Burgess was verified last March for threatening her father-in-law Mitchell Hooke during a confrontation at the Hooke family's South Highlands home in October 2019. Phoebe is pictured with her father and Burgess

Burgess was verified last March for threatening her father-in-law Mitchell Hooke during a confrontation at the Hooke family's South Highlands home in October 2019. Phoebe is pictured with her father and Burgess

Burgess was verified last March for threatening her father-in-law Mitchell Hooke during a confrontation at the Hooke family’s South Highlands home in October 2019. Phoebe is pictured with her father and Burgess

The initial reports in The Australian followed a ‘four-month investigation’ and included statements by Phoebe and her father Mitchell Hooke.

The paper said the reports were based on ‘pharmaceutical records, sworn statements to NSW Police, statutory statements and eyewitness accounts’.

They also rely on ‘call logs, emails, text messages, bank records, WhatsApp exchanges and Uber receipts.’

The allegations cost Burgess his coaching job with South Sydney and his commenting job with Fox Sports.

Defamation lawyer Mark O’Brien, representing Burgess, said after the story was published: ‘The allegations are untrue and constitute an indisputable defamation of the client of our company. I.’

‘Clearly the source of the false allegations are those that are currently in dispute with my client over various issues.’

Daily Mail Australia understands Burgess does not intend for defamation.

Burgess attorney Bryan Wrench accused Phoebe and her father of conspiring to destroy their client's reputation, which they denied.  Burgess is pictured with Mr Wrench and mother Julie Burgess while defending allegations of threatening Phoebe's father, Mitchell Hooke

Burgess attorney Bryan Wrench accused Phoebe and her father of conspiring to destroy their client's reputation, which they denied.  Burgess is pictured with Mr Wrench and mother Julie Burgess while defending allegations of threatening Phoebe's father, Mitchell Hooke

Burgess attorney Bryan Wrench accused Phoebe and her father of conspiring to destroy their client’s reputation, which they denied. Burgess is pictured with Mr Wrench and mother Julie Burgess while defending allegations of threatening Phoebe’s father, Mitchell Hooke

Phoebe released a 50-page statement that stated her ex-husband’s lifestyle and accusations about his behavior towards her during their troubled relationship.

Much of that material was published in Police Australia and NSW subsequently formed Strike Force Irrabella to investigate, issued a brief statement at the time.

“On Wednesday, September 30, 2020, officers from the Hume Police District received a report outlining various allegations regarding the conduct of a 31-year-old male,” it said.

‘Police have begun investigations and as these investigations are in their infancy, no further comment will be made at this time.’

The NRL began an investigation in October 2020.

“Now that the police investigation is complete, the NRL Integrity Unit will be able to complete its own investigation,” an NRL spokesman said.

Burgess underwent a period of rehabilitation last year and appeared on SAS Australia (pictured) where he admitted to being unfaithful to a woman in Melbourne in 2017

Burgess underwent a period of rehabilitation last year and appeared on SAS Australia (pictured) where he admitted to being unfaithful to a woman in Melbourne in 2017

Burgess underwent a period of rehabilitation last year and appeared on SAS Australia (pictured) where he admitted to being unfaithful to a woman in Melbourne in 2017

The Souths have not launched a separate investigation but the club said it was treating the allegations ‘with the utmost seriousness’ when they were initially brought.

“We have been and still are supportive and cooperative with the investigations carried out by NSW Police and the NRL Integrity Unit,” a club spokesman said in October.

‘We take note of NSW Police’s statement today and look forward to the NRL Integrity Unit completing their investigation.’

Initial newspaper stories emerged as Burgess was facing charges that he had threatened Mr Hooke during a confrontation at the Hooke family’s South Highlands home the previous year.

Burgess’ lawyers allege Phoebe and her father leaked the information to The Australian before the threat charge was filed.

Both agree they provided information to The Australian but deny they did so to ruin Burgess’ reputation.

Phoebe Burgess and her father Mitchell Hooke admitted to providing information to The Australian, which was investigated by police.  Phoebe said she wanted to expose the culture of covering up bad player behavior, especially towards women, during the NRL

Phoebe Burgess and her father Mitchell Hooke admitted to providing information to The Australian, which was investigated by police.  Phoebe said she wanted to expose the culture of covering up bad player behavior, especially towards women, during the NRL

Phoebe Burgess and her father Mitchell Hooke admitted to providing information to The Australian, which was investigated by police. Phoebe said she wanted to expose the culture of covering up bad player behavior, especially towards women, during the NRL

Phoebe has said that she wants to expose a toxic culture in the NRL that she claims includes covering up bad player behavior, particularly against women.

In March last year Burgess was cleared of the threat charge and the accompanying violent arrest warrant to protect Mr Hooke was withdrawn.

Burgess has since undergone a period of rehabilitation and appeared in the final season of SAS Australia, where he admitted to being unfaithful to a woman in Melbourne in 2017.

Sam and Phoebe got married in 2015, separated at the end of 2018 and resumed their relationship in early 2019.

They broke up permanently on October 2 of that year and later divorced. The former couple share custody of daughters Poppy, four, and Billy, two.

Burgess pleaded guilty to driving with traces of cocaine in his system when picking up the children from Bowral in February and was given a nine-month conditional release in May.

Source: | This article originally belonged to Dailymail.co.uk



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