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THE NRL's new $700,000 head of strategy Shane Richardson faces questions he covered up a violent off-season incident that led to the arrest of recently sacked Rabbitohs captain John Sutton and Great Britain forward Luke Burgess while on a training camp in Arizona late last year.
The pair were charged by police and the matter was reported to the NRL integrity unit after a reported bar fight during a boozy night out in Phoenix, near the team hotel.
On January 23 I rang Rabbitohs CEO Richardson and specifically asked that there had to be more to Sutton becoming the first premiership-winning captain to be axed than the club has revealed.
He replied: "Not to my knowledge — it was Madge's call."
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A Rabbitohs press release last night revealed the NRL was informed as soon as the incident took place, in the early hours of November 30 on their training camp.
Yesterday, after weeks of saying footballing concerns were the reason behind Sutton losing the captaincy, coach Michael Maguire was finally forced to admit that the Arizona incident was a factor in his demotion.
A NIGHT IN ARIZONA PUTS SOUTHS OFF TRACK
MYSTERY INCIDENT EXPLAINS BUNNY SHUFFLE
"There are obviously reasons from a behaviour standard. We have standards in the club and that is definitely a part of it but it is not wholly and solely the reason why," Maguire told The Daily Telegraph.
Yet Richardson, who will become one of the most powerful officials at the NRL when he officially starts his new role on March 2, suggested he was unaware of any other reasons that contributed to Sutton's axing.
An emotional Shane Richardson announces he's quitting his job at the Rabbitohs. Source: News Corp Australia
Surely the club CEO could not have been kept in the dark on such a serious matter involving the arrest of star players in a foreign country.
This is the second time the Rabbitohs have been publicly questioned about in-house discipline in recent months.
Last year it emerged centre Kirisome Auva'a pleaded guilty to domestic violence but was allowed to continue playing for the entire season.
Confirming Richardson must have known what had happened, a Souths press release issued late yesterday said:
"The Rabbitohs informed the NRL Integrity Unit of the incident straight away and have kept the Integrity Unit informed along the way.
"It related to alleged disorderly behaviour of the two players, who were charged. Charges that were laid have since been withdrawn."
I again questioned Sutton's sacking in The Sunday Telegraph after speaking to Richardson with the following comment.
"Surely there is more to the sacking of John Sutton as South Sydney captain than the Rabbitohs are prepared to tell us.
"No coach would sack a grand final-winning captain unless something had happened. We applaud Greg Inglis' promotion but surely he could have been made co-captain, as Sam Burgess was."
The doubts about Richardson not knowing what happened comes 12 months after the NRL's head of football Todd Greenberg was also accused of a cover-up over a Ben Barba domestic violence incident while he was at the Bulldogs.
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October 5, 2014
Rabbitohs win their first premiership in 43 years, beating Canterbury 30-6.
November 13, 2014
Centre Kirisome Auva'a suspended until at least round 22 of the 2015 season after pleading guilty to charges of recklessly causing injury and assault.
November 15, 2014
Souths travel to Flagstaff, Arizona, for two-week off-season high-altitude training program.
November 23, 2014
Rising halfback Cody Walker suspended indefinitely while charges of "stalk or intimidate intending to cause fear of physical and mental harm" and "common assault" are heard in court in February following an incident in October.
November 26, 2014
Premiership winger Lote Tuqiri's contract not extended.
November 30, 2014
While in Arizona, John Sutton and now-former forward Luke Burgess are involved in a late-night incident. Players spent eight hours in jail.
January 20, 2015
Rabbitohs announce John Sutton will be replaced as captain by Greg Inglis.
January 21, 2015
— Luke Burgess signs with Manly.
— CEO Shane Richardson quits to take up role with the NRL.
— John Lee appointed new CEO.
January 27, 2015
Premiership halves Luke Keary (2016) and Adam Reynolds (2017) sign contract extensions.
February 1, 2015
Rabbitohs win Auckland Nines tournament with 18-14 victory over Cronulla.
February 7, 2015
South Sydney retain Charity Shield after 12-12 draw with St George Illawarra.
February 8, 2015
Rabbitohs say charges were laid and then dropped against Sutton and Burgess in Arizonain November. The club added that both players were disciplined for breaching the club's code of conduct.
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