Rabbitohs investigate lewd sexting

The South Sydney Rabbitohs will investigate a woman’s claims she was the victim of a social media exchange with their players, that she says left her feeling disgusted and violated.

Yesterday the Rabbitohs issued a statement, saying they would investigate claims ‘‘in today’s media regarding alleged player behaviour in May this year’’.

A thorough investigation will be undertaken in conjunction, and in close co-operation, with the NRL’s Integrity Unit, the Rabbitohs said.

The NRL club is reportedly investigating an email from a 23-year-old sent the day after the May 26 incident.

The woman told news media she felt violated and disgusted over lewd sexting with high-profile South Sydney Rabbitohs rugby league players, but her complaints to the NRL club had not been dealt with.

She claimed in The Daily Telegraph that several high-profile Rabbitohs exposed themselves during a Facebook video chat as they celebrated a 30-10 win over the Warriors in Auckland.

The club said it had tried to make contact with her via phone and email.

‘‘The Rabbitohs take any allegations of player misbehaviour very seriously and will not be making any further comment until the completion of the investigation.’’

The complainant said a ‘‘funny’’ FaceTime chat ‘‘with the group of boys’’ turned explicit and left her ‘‘violated and disgusted’’, The Daily Telegraph said.

Screenshots taken by the woman purport to show one of the players displaying his genitals, while another bares his backside.

She has said phone records show one player repeatedly called her, even after she had made it clear she wanted to be left alone.

The Daily Telegraph said the players involved were some of the biggest names at the club.

It has chosen not to name the players.