SEMI Radradra’s manager George Christodoulou has confirmed the Parramatta star will see out his contract with the Eels and plans on fighting the domestic violence charges levelled against him.
Reportedly able to make $35,000 per game if he defected to rugby, Radradra returned to Australia after a week in Fiji where his return to the NRL was the subject of great debate.
Asked whether Radradra will see out his contract which expires at the end of 2017, Christodoulou replied; “yes he will.
Christodoulou also confirmed that the Test flyer had a deal on the table from French club Bordeaux but denied there was anything sinister in his dealings.
“We went through the front door,” he said on Friday.
“It was never a ‘run and hide’ (and) do a ‘Sonny Bill’ as reported. We went through the front door and proposed to Parramatta and proposed to the NRL. (We) said to the NRL ‘can Semi do a sabbatical stint in rugby union for the back end of this season and over the off-season?’
“The NRL came back with their stance and there policy is we can’t be promoting other codes.
“Semi’s contracted to the NRL. We were happy to respect that and Semi respect that.
“That and why he’s back here and going to fulfil his contract with the Eels.
“He’s happy to be back here and fulfil his contract with the Eels.”
Christodoulou admits there was a financial attraction which sparked talk of a move to rugby, while the winger was also looking for an opportunity to clear his head in a new environment, away from the troubles in his life.
Those troubles led to Radradra being charged with three counts of domestic violence against his ex-partner in 2014 and 2015.
He was released on conditional bail after NSW Police took him into custody when he arrived at Sydney Airport from Fiji on Thursday night.
Christodoulou stated his client plans on fighting the charges laid against him.
“100 per cent we’ll be fighting the allegations,” Christodoulou said.
“Not guilty, 100 per cent.”
The winger joined his Eels teammates on Friday morning and is expected to play against Cronulla on Saturday night.
It’s understood the troubled star has told the NRL club he wants to play.
Radradra’s first training session in two weeks lasted 45 minutes and it came
Radradra snuck into training on Friday morning and bypassed the media as coach Brad Arthur spoke to reporters.
Asked whether he would give Radradra the option of standing down, Arthur said: “Yes.”
Pressed further on whether Radradra would be in the right frame of mind to play, he said: “Like I said, I haven’t spoken to Semi (so) we’ll talk to him and see where he’s at.
“The first process is we need to talk to Semi and his manager and see how he is. The priority for us is his welfare at the moment. Until I’ve spoken to him, it’s very hard.
“Whether I’m happy with it or not, that’s just how it is. That’s the situation.
“We need to talk to Semi and need to go through the whole process. We need to speak to the NRL. There’s a lot of stuff to happen.”
Radradra will appear in Parramatta Local Court next Tuesday after being granted conditional bail.
— with AAP
