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NRL boss Todd Greenberg declares off-season a 'train wreck', says Ben Barba may never play NRL again
Posted4 hours ago, updated3 hours ago
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Duration: 1 minute 15 seconds1m 15s

VIDEOTodd Greenberg: Ben Barba "will not return" to NRL
NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg has declared the code's off-season a "train wreck", saying former Dally M winner Ben Barba won't have a way back into the sport if he is found to have assaulted his partner.

Key points:

• The North Queensland Cowboys sacked Ben Barba after an alleged incident at the Townsville casino
• NRL boss Todd Greenberg said the club has shown leadership in sacking the 29-year-old
• Mr Greenberg said the NRL will not tolerate violence against women

The North Queensland Cowboys terminated Barba's contract on Friday, before he had even played a game for the club, amid reports he was caught on CCTV assaulting his partner in an incident at the Townsville casino.

Mr Greenberg said he had not seen the footage of the alleged incident, which is currently being investigated by the NRL integrity commission.

But he praised the Cowboys for taking leadership in sacking the 2012 Dally M Medal winner, who was planning to return to the NRL after a two-year hiatus due to a drug scandal.

"The Cowboys have seen the vision and have made their decision. We will see the vision," he said.

"I have spoken to the Cowboys. I understand it's now under police investigation. So I'm a little limited to what I can describe to you."

Mr Greenberg said Barba would never return to the sport if there was evidence of him assaulting his partner.

"If it shows violence towards a woman, then really there's no debate. Ben Barba will be out of the NRL immediately," he said.

"I can't see him ever returning. Certainly, again, if the evidence is there, he simply won't return under my watch.

"I issue this warning to players again: The game has changed. Community expectations are clear. We won't tolerate misbehaviour and the sanctions will be extremely strong. Especially for violence against women."


IMAGEBen Barba was making his return to the NRL after two years playing in the Super League.(AAP Image: Paul Miller)
The assault allegation against Barba is the latest in a string of off-field indiscretions by NRL players since October, with Jarryd Hayne, Jack de Belin, Zane Musgrove, Liam Coleman and Dylan Walker also facing assault charges.

Cowboys forward Scott Bolton pleaded guilty to common assault in January and was handed a 12-month good behaviour bond.
Mr Greenberg said he would not waver in banning players in order to protect the game.

"We had a brilliant 2018 on the field. But quite frankly the off-season has been a complete train wreck," he said.

"The game is loved and adored by millions and millions of fans. And we must protect the game."

Barba is yet to comment.


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