UPDATE: NSW Origin winger Blake Ferguson has been questioned by police after a female accused the star of inappropriately touching her at a Cronulla bar last night.
Ferguson was drinking with former Raiders teammate Josh Dugan at 2230 Restaurant and Bar in Cronulla Mall when the alleged incident occurred around 10:30pm.
According to a witness who spoke to The Daily Telegraph on the condition of anonymity, Ferguson was substantially intoxicated while Dugan was relatively well behaved in comparison.
At one point, Ferguson was refused re-entry to the premises by security, who were acting on the advice of local police.
But according to the witness, Ferguson re-entered through a rear door that opened into the kitchen.
It's understood he pushed past a chef, before returning to the main bar area. Staff believe he was familiar with the bar, having visited several times while playing for Cronulla.
It was upon Ferguson's return that the alleged incident took place, with a female taking exception to his behaviour and slapping him across the face.
Ferguson left the bar at that point, while the woman and her boyfriend made an immediate complaint to police.
It's believed she told police that Ferguson touched her inappropriately.
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Officers ordered CCTV footage last night and also interviewed Ferguson at Miranda police station.
He was released early this morning. No charges have been laid as yet, with police continuing to review the CCTV footage and appeal to witnesses for further evidence.
Both players were at the Blues camp in Sydney this morning and were taken up in a lift with a team official for a meeting with coach Laurie Daley.
Daley later emerged to speak to the media and confirm the investigation.
"We have been made aware of an allegation and have been in contact with the NRL's integrity unit,'' Daley said, reading from a prepared statement.
"We will continue to cooperate with the police investigation.
"Josh Dugan was with Blake at the time, but there has been no allegations made against [Dugan] and we will update you as the matter continues.''
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The Blues also released a statement, saying: "NSW team management has been made aware of an alleged incident involving Blake Ferguson last night prior to his arrival in the NSW Origin camp today.
"NSW team management is treating the matter seriously and will continue to work with the NRL Integrity Unit, the Raiders and the police to determine exactly what has happened."
NSW police revealed they have already studied CCTV footage from the club.
"Police from Miranda Local Area Command are investigating an alleged incident at a licensed premises in Cronulla that occurred about 10.30pm last night,'' a NSW police spokesman said.
"Police have reviewed CCTV from the location and have interviewed a number of people.
"However, investigations into the matter are continuing."
2230 Restaurant and Bar licensee Scott Matteson confirmed both Ferguson and Dugan were at the venue.
"We got a request later in the night from police for some footage in relation to an alleged assault, which was provided to police,'' Matteson said.
Matteson said he was unaware what the allegation involved but added there were about 70 people in the bar at the time.
"I was there. I wasn't in the vicinity of it but I was at the bar,'' he said.
Ferguson has had a string of disciplinary problems this year.
He was suspended earlier this season, fined $10,000 and ordered to undergo counselling after a drinking session with Dugan.
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