Cody Walker Suspended and Rabbitohs Fined $20,000 for off-field incident

22nd May 2020

The NRL today issued Cody Walker with a breach notice which alleges he brought the game into disrepute when he intervened in a street fight in Casino, NSW in late 2019. The breach notice proposes a two-match suspension, to be served in Rounds 3 and 4, and a fine of $15,000 (with payment to be suspended for 12 months). Walker has five business days to respond to the Breach Notice but is provisionally suspended from playing during the response period.

The NRL today also issued the South Sydney Rabbitohs with a breach notice in relation to an alleged failure to promptly disclose the incident involving Walker. All Clubs and club officials have a duty to report any incident which may lead to a breach of NRL rules, including suspected breaches, and NRL Clubs are responsible for ensuring compliance. The NRL proposes South Sydney be fined $20,000. The Club has five business days to respond to the Breach Notice.

Walker was cleared by police this week over his involvement in a fight in his home town of Casino late last year, and told coach Wayne Bennett of the incident at the time. The NRL however was not made aware of the matter until Walker approached police recently, alleging that he had blackmailed over the release of footage in which he kicked a man in the chest, in turn prompting the Integrity Unit's investigation. "All clubs and club officials have a duty to report any incident which may lead to a breach of NRL rules, including suspected breaches, and NRL Clubs are responsible for ensuring compliance," the NRL said in a statement. The Rabbitohs response indicated the club will be taking the five-day notice period "to consider its position." Walker too has five days to respond to his individual notice, but is provisionally suspended from playing in that period.

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