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Morley ban threat ruffles Roosters
By PETE ROWE and RAY CHESTERTON
January 17, 2004
THE English Rugby League is threatening to slap a six-month worldwide ban on the Sydney Roosters' British hitman Adrian Morley following his serious drink-driving offence in the UK.
Morley, who returned to pre-season training with the Roosters only two weeks ago because of the court case, is expected to be charged with bringing the game into disrepute by the English RFL next week.
Officials at the English league's headquarters in Leeds are furious that his actions caused immense embarrassment to the Great Britain team sponsor Think-Don't Drive the British government version of the Arrive Alive drink-driving campaign here in Australia.
It has also emerged that the giant second-rower was banned from driving for three years not the six months as previously reported because it was his second offence.
Morley was convicted of the same offence two years ago and banned then for one year.
This time, on December 13 last year, he was stopped for driving erratically in the Manchester suburb of Salford late at night.
Police say the Great Britain league hardman tried to leave the scene of the incident and ran through a nearby field before being tackled by two law enforcement officers.
His charge sheet mentions that he "attempted to evade arrest". He also initially gave a false name Tommy Smith when asked for it by one of the policemen.
Unluckily for Morley, one of the police officers recognised him and asked why it was different to the one published in the match program for the Great Britain v Australia third Ashes Test the previous week.
Morley, 26, was given a $5000 fine on top of the three-year ban and ordered not to leave the country until he had served a 40-hours community service order the reason for his delayed arrival back in Sydney.
Morley's blood/alcohol level was more than twice the UK limit of 25 at 83 units of alcohol.
English rugby league spokesman John Huxley said the incident had been fully investigated.
"The RFL takes a very poor view of any actions of this sort by a contracted international player," he told The Daily Telegraph from Leeds.
"We have been in contact with the Roosters to inform them that a charge could be brought next week and the maximum penalty could be a six-month ban from the game.
"That would mean a worldwide ban," he added.
Roosters chairman Nick Politis was last night dismissive of the proposed new charges against Morley by the English Rugby League.
"If Morley is banned from playing in Sydney then they had better get ready to ban a few more," Politis said.
"I can think of 10 people who have been in similar situations, including some CEOs."
Deputy chairman of the International Board, Maurice Lindsay, who is in Sydney for the Sevens, said he was stunned by the English RFL's move.
"I'll sit back and look at what is happening when there is more information available," he said.
By PETE ROWE and RAY CHESTERTON
January 17, 2004
THE English Rugby League is threatening to slap a six-month worldwide ban on the Sydney Roosters' British hitman Adrian Morley following his serious drink-driving offence in the UK.
Morley, who returned to pre-season training with the Roosters only two weeks ago because of the court case, is expected to be charged with bringing the game into disrepute by the English RFL next week.
Officials at the English league's headquarters in Leeds are furious that his actions caused immense embarrassment to the Great Britain team sponsor Think-Don't Drive the British government version of the Arrive Alive drink-driving campaign here in Australia.
It has also emerged that the giant second-rower was banned from driving for three years not the six months as previously reported because it was his second offence.
Morley was convicted of the same offence two years ago and banned then for one year.
This time, on December 13 last year, he was stopped for driving erratically in the Manchester suburb of Salford late at night.
Police say the Great Britain league hardman tried to leave the scene of the incident and ran through a nearby field before being tackled by two law enforcement officers.
His charge sheet mentions that he "attempted to evade arrest". He also initially gave a false name Tommy Smith when asked for it by one of the policemen.
Unluckily for Morley, one of the police officers recognised him and asked why it was different to the one published in the match program for the Great Britain v Australia third Ashes Test the previous week.
Morley, 26, was given a $5000 fine on top of the three-year ban and ordered not to leave the country until he had served a 40-hours community service order the reason for his delayed arrival back in Sydney.
Morley's blood/alcohol level was more than twice the UK limit of 25 at 83 units of alcohol.
English rugby league spokesman John Huxley said the incident had been fully investigated.
"The RFL takes a very poor view of any actions of this sort by a contracted international player," he told The Daily Telegraph from Leeds.
"We have been in contact with the Roosters to inform them that a charge could be brought next week and the maximum penalty could be a six-month ban from the game.
"That would mean a worldwide ban," he added.
Roosters chairman Nick Politis was last night dismissive of the proposed new charges against Morley by the English Rugby League.
"If Morley is banned from playing in Sydney then they had better get ready to ban a few more," Politis said.
"I can think of 10 people who have been in similar situations, including some CEOs."
Deputy chairman of the International Board, Maurice Lindsay, who is in Sydney for the Sevens, said he was stunned by the English RFL's move.
"I'll sit back and look at what is happening when there is more information available," he said.
