Rugby League - Cronulla sack player for "urinating into own mouth"

The 28-year-old’s contract with Cronulla was terminated on Sunday after a photograph of him in a hotel toilet, apparently urinating in his own mouth, was circulated on social media.

You can see one of the tweets here – WARNING: NSFW

Huddersfield’s attempt to sign him in 2008 failed when he was unable to obtain a visa due to his drink-driving offences.

That came after he had been sacked by Canberra for the latest in a series of alcohol-related misdemeanours during his time with the Raiders. He spent the 2009 season playing park football in far north Queensland before returning to the NRL in 2010 with Sydney Roosters.

Carney helped the Roosters reach the grand final that year and was named player of the year by the Rugby League International Federation but was sacked 12 months later for breaking a club-issued alcohol ban.

He was snapped up by the Sharks, initially on a two-year contract, which was recently extended to the end of 2018 and terminated abruptly on Sunday.

A statement said: “The Cronulla Shark Football Club has today after careful consideration and lengthy deliberation, including discussions with senior NRL management, made a decision to terminate Todd Carney’s NRL playing contract effective immediately.

“At the Sharks we are committed to building a successful club, a club with strong values and a club which sets and respects high standards in all aspects of its operations and activities.

“When Todd was first signed to the Sharks he was made well aware of his responsibilities both on and off the field, to himself, the club and to the game in general. However, the photograph that appeared last night on social media does not meet the values and standards the club is looking to uphold and take into the future.

“As with any difficult decision, whilst you can’t change the past, it is important to put measures in place that can deliver positive outcomes both in the present and into the future.

“The club and the NRL will be committed to working with Todd, his family and his management in implementing appropriate counselling and support, with the start of this process to begin tonight.”

Cronulla’s stance was supported by the National Rugby League (NRL), with c hief operating officer Jim Doyle saying the photograph tarnished the image of the game.

“The overwhelming majority of NRL players are great role models who do such good work on and off the field,” Doyle said.

“But those who want to bring the game into disrepute are on notice that their behaviour will not be tolerated and the Sharks should be commended for taking such a strong stand in this instance.”

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Article source: http://www.espnscrum.com/englandclub/rugby/story/231175.html

Rugby League - Cronulla sack player for "urinating into own mouth"