Dogs players could lose contracts
Bulldogs chief executive Steve Mortimer says some of his players face strong sanctions for breaching the rugby league club's code of conduct.
The Bulldogs board will meet tomorrow night to review the contracts of some players who breached club rules by taking a woman back to the team hotel in Coffs Harbour more than a week ago.
Mortimer says the board takes the matter very seriously.
"We are going to take harsh appropriate action on the policies that have been broken by the players," he said. "The penalties could be fines to stepping down to cancellation of a contract."
Mortimer says the Bulldogs' major sponsor is sticking by the club and has given him until Friday before any decision will be made about the deal with the club.
Coffs Harbour police are continuing their investigation into the alleged assault of a woman by a number of first grade Bulldogs players.
Detectives investigating the incident say they will interview the players this week.
Inspector Matt Spondberg, in charge of the Coffs Harbour police investigation Task Force McGuigan, says those discussions will determine if DNA testing will be required.
Cooperation
Inspector Spondberg says the player interviews will be organised through Bulldogs management.
"We have the full cooperation and assistance of the Canterbury Bankstown management and will continue dealing with them during the investigation," he said.
"We are still appealing for any witnesses to come forward and assist police with this inquiry.
"At this stage there are no charges pending. Detectives from the strike force will today meet with officers from the state crime command sexual assault unit who will assist in the investigation."
Meanwhile, National Rugby League (NRL) chief executive David Gallop says he will not hide from the allegations of sexual assault when he launches the NRL season in Sydney tomorrow night.
Mr Gallop says the launch is part of a push for more women and children to go to games but other issues will now have to be addressed.
"We won't be going ahead with our launch on Wednesday night avoiding this issue," he said.
"It will certainly be something that we will touch on. There would be no sense in not touching on it given the shadow thats it has cast over the game."
The NRL has started a review of the protocols in place at all clubs for away matches and has not ruled out employing security for all teams.
