'Sorry from bottom of my heart': Addo-Carr regrets lockdown gaffe
Josh Addo-Carr says he's "sorry from the bottom of my heart" and was only trying "to put a smile on his cousins' faces" after a weekend camping getaway with former Origin teammate Latrell Mitchell seemingly breached social-distancing guidelines.
Melbourne's Addo-Carr and South Sydney's Mitchell both posted apologies on Instagram on Monday afternoon, hours after the NRL lashed their actions as "unacceptable".
Police are investigating after Addo-Carr posted several images to his social media page on Sunday evening of a camping trip, including one photo showing 12 men in proximity around a campfire on Mitchell's mid-north coast property.
The NRL integrity unit is also expected to hand down punishments for the high-profile pair, who landed in hot water less than 24 hours after the code sent a strict biosecurity proposal to clubs to prevent a coronavirus outbreak. The NRL wants to resume its season on May 28.
On his Instagram page, Addo-Carr said: "Firstly I would like to apologise for my actions this weekend. Nothing was intentional or deliberate.
"A couple of family members of mine are going through a really tough time at the moment and I got in contact with Latrell to go out to his private property to connect to our culture again and try to put a smile on their faces and have a bit of fun as well.
"I can’t wait to go out there and finally play some footy. I’m really sorry from the bottom of my heart."
The images, most of which have since been deleted, also included footage of the players shooting guns and riding trailbikes on the sand without helmets.
It prompted a strongly worded statement from the NRL, which is fighting to be one of the first professional sports in the world to resume amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our players are role models and we expect them to lead by example during this pandemic,” the statement from head office read.
“On face value, the image in today's media is both disappointing and an unacceptable breach of health orders. The NRL will be speaking to the players involved to seek further information and we will ensure the players provide any assistance authorities require.
“As a group, our players have taken government health orders very seriously and have helped educate the community. On face value, today’s matter is unacceptable and we support the government in any action they believe necessary.”
NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys said he had spoken with the state's northern command who will make themselves "aware of what's on the back page of the paper and make some inquiries".
Mitchell said sorry on Monday in a video posted to his 193,000 followers on Instagram.
"Firstly I just want to apologise [for] my actions this weekend," he said. "I've been up here with my family for the last four to five weeks and practising that social distancing stuff.
"It was a little bit of a slip-up and Foxxy [Addo-Carr] reached out, his cousins are going through a bit of stuff in Sydney so he just wanted to get away to the bush and make sure they're getting culturally connected again.
"That was the whole concept of the weekend and we weren't here to break any rules or hurt anyone. We're not being selfish, but I couldn't turn down the brothers in a time of need. I just wanted to let you know on behalf of me and Foxxy and all my mob we do apologise."
Newcastle player Tyronne Roberts-Davis was also in one of the images.
Thousands of fines have been issued in recent weeks across the country with Australians urged to leave their house only for essential shopping, medical appointments or employment reasons.
"Our club and players have taken the government health orders very seriously, and on a number of occasions have helped educate and support the community through this period," the Rabbitohs said in a statement on Monday morning.
"We will ensure Latrell provides any assistance authorities require and accept any action the government believes necessary."
The personal Instagram account of Rugby League Players Association boss Clint Newton liked one of Addo-Carr's posts, but clarified on Monday it was done inadvertently the previous night.
He was made aware of the post on Sunday night and was up until the early hours with the players union's operations staff analysing Addo-Carr's social media feed.
The news comes a day after the NRL announced strict coronavirus protocols before a proposed resumption of the competition next month.
Among the measures sent to club bosses on Sunday evening is the need for every player to have his home environment approved by head office. Players will also be encouraged to download the federal government's contact-tracing app under draconian restrictions to allow the game to resume.
On top of the previously mooted daily temperature checks and online health surveys, every NRL player's household will need to be assessed by the club's medical officer or they will be forced to find alternative home arrangements. They have also been warned not to allow any visitors into their homes.
Each player and staff member registered to undertake the COVID-19 protocols will have an online training module this week.