Besieged Gower may sue over grope claim
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=78197
Friday Dec 23 13:59 AEDT
Besieged Australian halfback Craig Gower is considering legal action over allegations that he groped rugby league legend Wayne Pearce's daughter at a Sunshine Coast charity event.
The Penrith skipper is "quite upset" about various claims that have emerged after his appearance at this week's Jack Newton Celebrity Golf Classic at Peregian Waters.
Penrith chief executive Glenn Matthews said Friday he had spoken to Gower and the "very concerned" Panthers No.7 was considering his legal options.
"I know he has appointed a solicitor. He is quite upset about some of the things being said," he said.
"I spoke to him briefly yesterday. We did not discuss any details but he believes things have been blown out of proportion.
"He's not feeling very well. He is quite concerned.
"It's probably a natural reaction when you see things said about you.
"I think some of it is certainly not true. It's not very nice what is being alleged."
Panthers football manager Mick Leary and operations chief Peter Mulholland will fly back from Maroochydore to Sydney late Friday after speaking with the holidaying Pearce family as part of an investigation that will not be completed until the New Year.
"My understanding is that Mick has (spoken to Pearce) but I'm not in a position to comment on that at the moment," Matthews said.
"We are gathering all the information and once we have done that we will sit down and talk with Craig again."
Gower is also accused of chasing Pearce's son Mitchell as well as throwing a piece of cutlery at dinner guests after the Classic and damaging a golf cart.
The Classic coincided with Gower's bucks celebrations - he is due to marry media personality Amanda Flynn in three weeks.
Matthews said Leary would seek a one-on-one talk with Dawn Fraser after the swimming legend told the Nine Network on Thursday that she consoled Pearce's daughter Tatum and saw Gower chase Mitchell around a table at the charity dinner.
"We take everything into account. Mick is endeavouring to speak to Dawn directly," he said.
But Matthews said of Fraser's claim: "It's one thing consoling somebody but did she see things first hand?"
Matthews admitted many allegations could have been blown out of proportion by "Chinese whispers".
"I heard a Sydney radio station that covered the golf event was defending Craig over the allegation that he threw knives," he said.
"The radio station announcer said he was there and that it (the claim) was absolutely ridiculous."
Charity golf tournament host Jack Newton said of the Gower allegations: "Once again we've got a witch hunt on a football player, much of which is hearsay."
Matthews said possible penalties for Gower would be suspension or fining him up to one quarter of his lucrative annual salary.
"We haven't really thought about that apart from looking at what the NRL player's contract says - we are a long way off thinking about those sorts of things," he said.
"We've got our own code of conduct in place. When people make allegations we have an investigation period.
"We've got to make sure the process is transparent and that natural justice is served."
But Matthews agreed that Gower was still representing the club at the charity event despite being on holiday following the failed Tri Nations campaign in the UK.
"I don't think in any high profile position you are ever out of the public view - you are always on show," he said.
"It's the public that really pays your wage. You are never off duty.
"You have responsibilities to yourself, your club and the code itself."
