A disgraceful headline in the Telegraph though.
Dean Ritchie has proven yet again the type of journo he is.
They should've blurred out the silly old git's bitch tits as well.
The manly thing would be for Stewart to stand down
Jacquelin Magnay | March 9, 2009
http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/news/nrl-has-to-step-in/2009/03/08/1236447048246.html
IF BRETT STEWART is man enough, he should stand aside from playing in the NRL until the sexual assault allegations against him are resolved. If he is not man enough, NRL chief executive David Gallop must do what Manly are reluctant to - force Stewart on to the sidelines.
Both Manly and the NRL have indicated they are going to do nothing. If this is so, they are profoundly derelict in their proclaimed stance renouncing violence against women, and again have let down half of the code's supporters. It is not unnoticed that this fence-sitting has happened on International Women's Day.
Stewart has several voices - his own, that of his rugby league playing brother, his club, his manager, his supporters, his code - but has chosen to remain silent. The young woman, just 17, has one - her father, who has been gagged by the police.
There appears to be an ad hoc policy in the rugby league world that favours those players who have the most serious allegations levelled against them. Hit a woman in the face, or have such allegations or charges made against you, and out you go, Tevita Latu and Greg Bird. Be accused of sexual assault? Play on. Double standards? Most definitely. Or is it that it is much easier for lesser offences to be proven? Of course, Stewart has the right to be presumed innocent but this is an allegation of serious violence against a young woman, again on the eve of the rugby league season.
It is not good enough for the club, or the NRL or indeed Stewart to argue that players previously facing sexual assault investigations have been able to play through what they consider "an ordeal". Anthony Laffranchi even worked his way into a Test jersey while his rape charge was dismissed, with a Sydney court deciding there was not enough evidence to prove the charge beyond reasonable doubt.
The Warriors' Michael Crockett, the Bulldogs and the Broncos players were also distanced from off-field dramas. But what happens off and on the field are directly related. If it is embarrassing enough for the NRL to suspend and rejig its multimillion-dollar advertising campaign, which featured Stewart, it is embarrassing enough for him not to be playing in the Manly jersey.
Indeed, the Manly club has to be careful not to be too involved in protecting Stewart while providing a duty of care to its employee. Club CEO Grant Mayer issued a release on Saturday claiming "the allegation is denied". Is this the club denying the allegation or Stewart? Given that the club may eventually have to take action against Stewart, especially if it is found he has brought the sport into disrepute, it would be prudent by all parties to have independent, separate legal advice, and issue separate statements, rather than this pooling arrangement.
This cosy relationship between players and clubs and managers is a source of much conflict of interest. Last week the AFL introduced an integrity services department - jargon for a player behaviour overseer - which the NRL should look at. It is in league's interests to have an independent body to handle off-field scandals.
