The playing future of National Rugby League side Sydney Roosters player Shaun Kenny-Dowall "is in severe doubt if he is found guilty of domestic violence charges," with NRL CEO Dave Smith saying the game "had made it clear such behaviour would not be tolerated," according to Brad Walter of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD.
However, Smith "defended his decision not to stand down Kenny-Dowall until the allegations were heard in court after being urged to do so during a phone conversation with NSW premier Mike Baird on Sunday."
Kenny-Dowall withdrew from Sunday's match against New Zealand Warriors "after being charged with 10 offences against his former partner Jessica Peris, the daughter of Olympian Nova Peris." Smith: "We won't comment on any case that is in the criminal justice system, and nor should we because I have got faith in the criminal justice system and I wouldn't want to prejudice any
player or any person who is in that situation. But my stance is unambiguous on domestic violence, and anything to do with violence against women or violence in general we are unambiguous. There is no place for it in the game." Smith said that the "negative publicity caused by such incidents was outweighed by the good work NRL players do off the field." He said, "Our players spend 35,000 hours per year in the communities running our dometic violence program, our anti-bullying programs, our violence against women programs so we take it very seriously" (SMH, 7/19).
