Lawyer says David Fifita 'doesn't remember' incident after Bali arrest
David Fifita’s lawyer says the NRL star “doesn’t remember” hitting a security guard in Bali and is confident the issue can be quickly resolved.
Fifita was arrested after an alleged incident outside the same Kuta nightclub that Melbourne Storm’s Nelson Asofa-Solomona landed himself in trouble last month.
Brisbane Broncos on Saturday confirmed Fifita was in jail and had flown an official to meet their key forward. Holidaying with Broncos teammate Payne Haas, Fifita allegedly assaulted a security guard early on Saturday at La Favela nightclub.
Fifita’s lawyer, Muhamma Rifan, spoke to reporters regarding the incident and stated the issue is “not really a big case”.
“It’s only some misunderstanding and that we hope we can solve immediately,” Rifan said. “He doesn’t remember because it was too quick and fast. Maybe something like that [is a] misunderstanding.”
A police report obtained by the Seven Network alleged the security guard was hit in the face by a foreigner who was riding a motorbike taxi.
“The perpetrator jumped from the motorbike and tried to approach the victim, but was prevented by ojek driver,” the police report reads. “The victim felt pain in his face and made a report at Kuta police station.
“Based on report, police went to the crime scene, asking witnesses and the victim. A bule [foreigner] that was allegedly the perpetrator was arrested. The perpetrator was taken to Kuta police station for further investigation. The alleged perpetrator could not be interrogated yet as he is still under the influence of alcohol.”
It is understood Fifita can be detained for 24 hours before being named as a suspect or freed by police, meaning the teenage star should learn his fate later on Sunday.
“So the alleged perpetrator was nabbed straight away and taken to the police station,” Kuta police chief Teuku Ricki Fadlianshah told the Seven Network.
“Witnesses said that he hit La Favela’s security. An ojek driver tried to separate them and he tried to hit the security again. It is still being investigated. Based on witnesses, the perpetrator spontaneously hit the security without any reason. But we are still facing difficulties to interrogate him.”
The NRL said it was aware of the incident.
“The integrity unit are working with the Brisbane Broncos and authorities to determine what has happened,” an NRL spokesperson told AAP.
The incident took place at the same nightspot where Asofa-Solomona was involved in a wild brawl, which resulted in a three-game ban and a suspended $15,000 fine, and comes a fortnight after Fifita captained a Junior Kangaroos team to a win over France in Wollongong.
The 19-year-old is also set to enter the final year of his NRL contract, and is widely considered arguably the hottest free agent available for the 2021 season. He has been linked with a number of NRL clubs, including South Sydney.