Poor bloke wants a cuddle now.
https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/s...k/news-story/23f11a05c50fc8c586f0cc42709c31b2
Broncos coach Anthony Seibold has revealed no one from the NRL has checked up on him after a number of vile rumours involving Seibold emerged on social media during the week.
Speaking to The
Daily Telegraph, an “angry” Seibold admitted no one from the governing body has checked up on him in what’s been a “bloody hard” time for him and his family.
“I feel angry,” Seibold said.
“I thought someone could have reached out.
“Even just a phone call to check in. It’s been bloody hard.
“As a game, are we going to just accept it?”
“I heard Ryan Papenhuyzen talking about some players receiving death threats on social media.
“These are faceless cowards on keyboards hiding behind anonymous accounts. It’s actually sad.
“I’d hate any other coach or player to go through what I have this last week.
“At some point, as a game, we need to take a stand.”
Fox League chief NRL reporter James Hooper says he doesn’t blame Seibold for feeling angry about no support from the governing body.
“You don’t like to see anybody go through what Anthony Seibold has gone through in relation to these social media attacks, these false allegations and the blowtorch he’s had turned on him personally,” Hooper told
Big League Wrap.
“You wouldn’t wish that upon your worst enemy. I can understand why he might have wanted someone to pick up the telephone up.”
Seibold is currently self-isolating in his Brisbane home with his family after breaking the bubble last week for a family matter.
He said it’s not fair his family have been dragged into the spotlight through the “disgusting and false messages,” while the hurt the rumours have caused is what made him go to the police.
“It’s not just about me. I understand I’m in a high-profile position at a high profile club. This is my family and other people mentioned in those disgusting and false messages,” Seibold said.
“They don’t ask to be in the spotlight.
“Say whatever you want about my coaching and the team’s performances but to make up lies and all that abuse … it’s sickening and I’m not going to cop it.
“Will it drive me out of the game?
“I need to think about that at a later time.
“Social media has gone to a level that is no longer acceptable.
“There’s a big difference between having an opinion and supporting your team but when it’s so distressing, so hurtful and so defamatory that’s crossed the line. That’s why I’ve gone to the police.”
It’s been a rough year for Seibold. The Broncos have lost 10 of their last 11 games and the club’s troubles have dominated the headlines since the season resumed.
The atrocious and damaging rumours are another kick to the guts for Seibold, who’s worn most of the blame for the underperforming team, but he’s not prepared to part ways with the club.
“That’s Karl Morris and the board’s decision,” Seibold said when asked if he would be prepared to walk away.
“They’re good people and they’ll make the right call. Any decision that’s made will be in the best interests of the club.”
The
Telegraph reports cyber security experts are investigating where the rumours started.
It also reports an NRL spokesman said a member of their wellbeing department did contact the Broncos about the rumours but didn’t get in touch with Seibold.
Originally published as
NRL leave ‘angry’ Seibold out in the cold
