Bird flees to meet girlfriend in USA
By Paul Kent
October 15, 2008
DISGRACED Cronulla star Greg Bird has fled to the United States to link with girlfriend Katie Milligan.
Ms Milligan left Australia almost four weeks ago and has been staying with family in New York, and sources have suggested that Bird is en route to meet her outside the jurisdiction of his Apprehended Violence Order, which only applies in New South Wales.
But for all its boldness and hints of romance, the daring trip could mean more problems for the troubled star if NSW Police confirm the pair have met. Under the terms of the AVO, he can still be charged with breaching the order once he returns to NSW.
The Cronulla club was stunned at this latest development, unsure of Bird's motivations. Club chief executive Tony Zappia remained guarded but confirmed he had been told Bird had left for America.
"I have heard the rumour but obviously Greg hasn't been involved in any club activities since he was stood down, so I can't confirm it," Zappia said.
"But I have heard the rumour."
The pair have long expressed their desire to rekindle their relationship, with Ms Milligan declaring her ongoing love for the footballer. Bird failed to have the AVO altered in Downing Centre Local Court last week, when he requested permission to contact Ms Milligan.
Weeks earlier, Ms Milligan had an application to alter the terms of the AVO, so that she could contact him, denied in court.
Police can check Bird's passport and other travel details to determine whether further investigation is required. It was uncertain on Tuesday where in the US Bird was headed.
He met Ms Milligan in Las Vegas during an end-of-season trip in October 2007, cutting short his trip with Cronulla teammates to follow Ms Milligan back to her home in New York.
His fleeing to America overshadows
his involvement in a number of other incidents in the past week.
A young woman was terrified when Bird allegedly jumped into the back of her car and demanded she take him to a pizza shop. Later, he was involved in slanging matches with various passers-by from the balcony of his Cronulla unit.
While swearing off alcohol, he has been spotted several times with alcoholic drinks in his hand.
Since being stood down, Bird has remained on full pay at the Sharks and has been provided with details for the NRL's counselling service. The club's welfare manager has also been in regular contact.
Under confidentiality clauses, the Sharks are not told whether he is attending classes with the counsellor. It is believed he has failed to take up the offer.
Sharks officials faced a sustained blast from supporters throughout their finals campaign for sticking with the decision to stand him down until his case was heard in court.
Without Bird, the Sharks made a spirited charge into the play-offs, prompting many fans to call on the club to overlook the decision to stand him down and insist he be reinstated.
Scores of fans demanded answers as to why Bird should continue to be stood down.
While Zappia failed to respond publicly to the supporters' demands, his action appears justified given recent events.
A backflip on the decision would have left the club in an embarrassing predicament.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,24499378-23214,00.html
