NRL to ban Barba for life if assault allegations are proven
NRL CEO Todd Greenberg has vowed to rub Ben Barba out of the game permanently if there is evidence he has physically assaulted his partner.
Barba was sacked after allegedly assaulting Ainslie Currie in Townsville. The North Queensland Cowboys terminated the contract of the 29-year-old on Friday night after an internal investigation found a "significant breach of the terms of his contract".
Greenberg has not yet seen CCTV footage of the incident but back the club for acting "quickly and decisively". Police are investigating the matter but charges have not yet been laid.
"If you are violent against women, you can expect to be removed from the game. That starts now," Greenberg said on Saturday. "The Cowboys overnight have moved quickly and decisively to terminate Ben Barba’s contract. That’s a club showing the leadership that’s required.
"I haven’t seen the footage as yet, but if it shows violence towards a woman, really there is no debate. Ben Barba will be out of the NRL immediately and I can’t see him ever returning.
"Simply, again, if the evidence is there, he simply won’t return under my watch."
Barba had hoped to resurrect his career with the Cowboys following a stint in the UK with St Helens. He returned on the understanding this would be his last chance in the NRL after a string of off-field issues. Barba leaves the Cowboys without having played a game for the club.
Barba's sacking comes just hours after the NRL officially unveiled him as the fullback for the Indigenous team for the revamped All Stars clash on February 15. The AAMI Park encounter was to be his first opportunity to play in front of Australian audiences since he was banned for his second illicit drug strike following Cronulla’s maiden grand final win in 2016.
It continues a horror off-season for the NRL that has resulted in more than half a dozen off-field incidents involving players, the majority being alleged violence against women and leading to police charges.
"We had a brilliant 2018 on the field but quite frankly the off season has been a complete train wreck," Greenberg said.
Currie denied rumours Barba had assaulted her in 2013 after photos of her with facial injuries were published.
The NRL launched an independent probe into Canterbury’s handling of the domestic violence allegations at the time and found that the club and it’s then chief executive Todd Greenberg - a recent recruit to head office - had acted appropriately. No police charges were laid.
Greenberg said there was nothing more that he could have done at the time.
"I urge you to go back and read the testimonies and interviews with people like his partner at the time.
"It’s very important you go back and read what she said at the time and understand the integrity unit did an independent investigation, which at the time if you remember, she decided not to participate in, but she provided a statement to.
"It’s very important you read that information."