Rugby League boss denies that an employee was behind vicious social media campaign against Anthony Seibold after former Broncos coach made explosive claims on 60 Minutes
- Anthony Seibold opens up on the toll vile rumours have had on him and family
- Quit as Brisbane Broncos coach in wake of online trolls spreading rumours
- Seibold says rumours came from within NRL circles but can't reveal any names
- NSW Rugby League boss David Trodden denies that staff were involved
By
AAP
PUBLISHED: 21:44 AEDT, 12 October 2020 | UPDATED: 21:45 AEDT, 12 October 2020
NSW Rugby League boss David Trodden is confident none his full-time employees were behind a vicious social media campaign against Anthony Seibold.
Trodden was shocked when a 60 Minutes report on Sunday night claimed the NRL integrity unit had been told a NSWRL employee was involved in the spreading of vile rumours.
It came after Seibold hired lawyers and cyber investigators to look into scurrilous rumours spread about him and his family online in August, just before he quit as Brisbane coach.
Sunday night's program was the first he had heard of the link between his organisation and the scandal, having not previously been contacted by the NRL, police or Seibold himself.
Anthony Seibold reveals he knows who spread damning rumours about him
False rumours spread by online trolls took a heavy toll on former NRL coach Anthony Seibold
Trodden was desperate to investigate the matter himself, calling the NRL on Monday morning before speaking with Seibold's representatives.
'While the various parties are unable to provide the identity of the person involved because of ongoing police investigations, I am confident that the person is not a full-time employee of NSWRL,' Trodden said.
'Trolling is appalling ... and action should be taken if it is properly proven.
'It should never be tolerated and we feel for Anthony Seibold and his family for what he has been put through.
NSW Rugby League boss David Trodden (pictured) is confident none his full-time employees were behind a vicious social media campaign against Anthony Seibold
Anthony Seibold has vowed to bring those responsible for the rumours to justice. He's pictured with wife Hollie at the 2018 Dally M Awards
'Equally, it is really important for me, as CEO of NSWRL, to make it clear that none of our employees are involved in the alleged behaviour.'
The NSWRL employees 93 people, and Trodden feared at this stage all had been implicated by the public claims and tarred with the same brush.
'I was totally surprised to hear what was said and disappointed that serious allegations like that would appear when we knew nothing of them,' Trodden told AAP.'
'They are really serious issues that need to be taken seriously ad investigated and dealt with properly.
Seibold detailed how the rumours had hurt him most given comments made about his family, but said he could not publicly out anyone behind them.
'It's someone who makes a living from our game who is part of the conversation and added to the rumours and forwarded them on,' Seibold told 60 Minutes.
'That's what so ironic about all of this. I can't sit here and tell you these names because essentially 60 Minutes could be charged. It's crazy'
Seibold's rise and fall at Brisbane
September 2018: Anthony Seibold is named Dally M coach of the year after leading South Sydney to third in his debut season as head coach
December 2018: Seibold swaps clubs with NRL supercoach Wayne Bennett after he's announced as the new coach of the Brisbane Broncos for 2019
September 2019: Brisbane have a woeful start to the season and are in danger of missing the finals for the first time in the club's 32-year history. The club bounces back to scrape into the NRL finals in eighth spot.
September 2019: The Broncos crash out of the finals with a humiliating 58-0 thrashing against the Parramatta Eels, which at the time became the biggest loss in the club's history
March 2020: The Broncos record two wins from their first two games of the season before the NRL is put on hold due to COVID-19.
Anthony Seibold announced his immediate departure from the club on Wednesday
May 2020: The Broncos season restart with a 43-6 loss against the Eels. The club has recorded just one win to date since the competition resumed.
June 2020: The Broncos' woes continue the following week with an embarrassing 59-0 loss against the Sydney Roosters, the club's worst ever defeat.
August 8 2020: Seibold exits the NRL quarantine bubble to stay in Sydney with his family for personal reasons following his side's loss against the Rabbitohs. He returns to Brisbane several days later to undergo 14 days of quarantine
August 11 2020: Seibold hires lawyers in response to rumours about his personal life being circulated online
August 26 2020: Seibold quits as Brisbane Broncos coach
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...s-employee-vicious-social-media-campaign.html