Barba’s turbulent career on the rocks
NRL CEO Todd Greenberg has defended his handling of domestic violence allegations against Ben Barba in 2013, claiming those circumstances are very different to the latest incident that has effectively ended the former Dally M medallist’s career.
Greenberg has vowed to hand Barba a life ban if there is evidence he physically assaulted his partner, Ainslie Currie, during an alleged assault 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 supported the club’s decision to act ‘‘quickly and decisively’’. Police are investigating the matter but charges have not yet been laid.
Greenberg’s handling of the 2013 allegations came under fresh scrutiny during his press conference yesterday. Currie denied Barba had assaulted her at the time after photos of her with facial injuries were published.
Greenberg was the chief executive of the Bulldogs at the time and the NRL launched an independent probe into his handling of the matter not long after he shifted to head office. Tony Bannon QC found there was no cover up and cleared Greenberg of any wrongdoing. No police charges were laid.
Currie, who chose not to be interviewed by NRL investigators, separated from Barba for a period soon afterwards. However, she was adamant the Dally M medallist never assaulted her. She provided a statement to the investigators but declined to be interviewed. She also provided a statement to the press in which she denied being assaulted.
Greenberg said there was nothing more that he could have done at the time and that people should not buy into ‘‘rumours and innuendo’’.
‘‘What I did was the right thing at the time . . . you can’t deal with supposition,’’ Greenberg said. ‘‘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.’’
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.
‘‘If you are violent against women, you can expect to be removed from the game. That starts now,’’ Greenberg said.
‘‘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, 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.’’
The Barba incident continues a horror off season for the NRL that has resulted in more than half a dozen off-field incidents, the majority involving 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.
He foreshadowed the hardest sanctions ever on players for misbehaviour, particularly if they involve violence against women.
‘‘It’s disgraceful and we can’t stand around and do anything but protect the game. That’s what we’ll do,’’ he said. ‘‘I called this out several weeks ago. Don’t look behind us to what sanctions have been applied, only look in front. We are going to get tougher on this stuff because we must protect the game.’’