Sydney Roosters have handed Victor Radley a 10-game suspension without pay for bringing the club into disrepute.
That’s the heaviest sanction ever imposed on a player by the NRL club and it comes after Radley’s name was brought up in the case against Brandon Smith, with the South Sydney Rabbitohs man facing allegations of unlawfully supplying a dangerous drug and using or disclosing inside knowledge for betting.
Radley has not been charged with a crime and there are no allegations of wrongdoing, but text messages between him and Smith have been widely reported down under. As such, while the Roosters acknowledge that Radley has not been charged by Queensland Police, the club believes the fact that he is some way connected to the case has brought them into disrepute.
Consequently they have dished out a strong punishment on Radley, with the forward set to miss the first 10 NRL games of next season and he won’t be paid during that period either. He has also been ordered to make a $30,000 donation to St Vincent’s Hospital for cancer research.
Radley has accepted the punishment and in a short statement, he apologised for bringing negative attention to the Roosters’ door.
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Sydney Roosters’ sanction Victor Radley
The Roosters’ statement read: “Sydney Roosters are aware of references in the media to communications allegedly between Sydney Roosters player Victor Radley and others in relation to allegedly obtaining an illegal substance.
“While Radley has not been charged by Queensland Police, the references in the media to communications allegedly between him and others have brought the Sydney Roosters into disrepute.
“Consequently, following internal discussions with senior club officials and a meeting of the Roosters Board of Directors, the Club will impose the following sanctions on Radley for the negative attention the allegations have brought to the Club:
- A 10-match suspension, without pay.
- A $30,000 donation to be made to the St Vincent’s Hospital (for cancer research).
“This represents the heaviest sanction ever imposed on a player in the Club’s history.
“Victor Radley has accepted these sanctions and expressed his remorse.
““I want to sincerely apologise to the Club, my teammates, our sponsors, Members and fans for the negative spotlight I have brought on the Roosters. I accept the sanctions in full and will work hard to earn back the trust and respect of everyone who supports this great Club,” said Radley.”
The decision comes after reports earlier this week that Radley had been urged to explore his options away from the Roosters.
