Broncos in sex assault claims
By Michael McKenna, Dan Koch and AAP
September 15, 2008
THREE Brisbane NRL players are under investigation over an alleged sexual assault at a Brisbane nightclub on Saturday night.
Queensland Police said they have received a formal complaint by a woman over allegations that she was sexually assaulted in the toilets of the Alhambra Lounge, in inner-city Fortitude Valley.
Players and witnesses at the nightclub are being interviewed by police.
Sources said police were attempting to establish the circumstances leading up to the alleged incident.
The woman made the complaint just after 9pm on Saturday, leading police to set up a crime scene at the club and seize footage from security cameras.
A sexual assault examination was also conducted on the woman that evening.
It is expected to take several days before police make a decision on whether to press charges.
The players are believed to have arrived at the club after having been evicted from two hotels, including the Story Bridge Hotel, earlier in the day.
The Broncos' drinking session followed Friday night's resounding semi-final victory over Sydney Roosters, guaranteeing the team a home final against the Melbourne on Saturday night.
The Broncos closed ranks when a huge media contingent arrived at training at Red Hill on Monday morning.
The media were told at training that the club wanted to concentrate on Saturday's second semi-final against minor premiers Melbourne at Suncorp Stadium.
Forward Ben Hannant fronted the media but did not wish to talk about the drama.
"I don't know anything about it. I just rocked up to training so I am just focusing on this week of football and the rest of the stuff will sort itself out," he told reporters.
"The way we have come in this week is focusing on the Melbourne Storm and doing our best to get everything right so we can be 100 per cent come game day."
Meanwhile, bookmakers across the country have suspended grand final betting and all betting involving the Broncos until police complete their investigations.
Concerns have been mounting within the club's management for several months over a growing drinking culture among some groups of players.
Captain Darren Lockyer addressed the team less than a month ago about some of the players' off-field behaviour, pleading with them to curb their drinking during the finals series.
The Broncos have one of the strictest player codes of conduct for public behaviour. Four players have been axed because of drinking-related incidents.
NRL chief executive David Gallop said the investigation was "concerning", but warned against pre-empting the police's findings.
"At the moment, all I have is someone telling me about an allegation," he said.
"We have no detail about what happened or who is involved but if there is an issue with regards to this matter, it is now in the hands of the police."
A Queensland Police spokesman said an alleged assault at a nightclub on Saturday night was being investigated. "Police are investigating an alleged incident," the spokesman said.
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