ZCZC
BSP-17
RUGBYL-AUS-BURGESS
Star forward Burgess embroiled in lewd video scandal
SYDNEY, Sept 18, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – England’s Sam Burgess is being
investigated by Australian rugby league chiefs after being caught up in a
lewd video chat scandal, with the star forward admitting Tuesday it had been
“a tricky few days”.
The married father-of-one broke his silence days after a report that his
social media account was used by two players who allegedly indecently exposed
themselves to a young woman without her consent in May.
“I’m not going into details. There’s an NRL investigation going on at the
moment,” the South Sydney Rabbitohs player said.
“I’m happy for them to get to the truth, I really am. I’ve been told to
publicly make no comment.”
The revelations are another headache for the National Rugby League, which
has spent years trying to change the sport’s reputation for bad behaviour
after a long list of scandals.
The Burgess issue comes hot on the heels of two Canterbury Bulldogs players
being charged with obscene exposure earlier this month after drunken end-of-
season celebrations.
Burgess, who played union for England at the 2015 Rugby World Cup before
switching back to league, said he hoped the investigation would be finalised
this week, with his heavily pregnant wife struggling under the media glare.
“What hurts me the most is seeing my wife upset about what’s out there,” he
said.
“It has been a tough process to go through. I’ve got great family, I’ve got
great friends. It has been a tricky few days.”
He added that he was not “running away or hiding”, and would consult
lawyers to discuss his legal options.
BSS/AFP/MR/1115 hrs