Walker suspended indefinitely
April 18, 2007 - 5:15PM
Rugby league bad boy Chris Walker is under indefinite suspension with his NRL career in the balance as the Gold Coast Titans investigate an alleged off-field incident.
Titans managing director Michael Searle said Walker, 27, had breached the club's and the NRL players' code of conduct but declined to give details until the club have completed their investigation.
But AAP understands former Queensland Origin winger Walker was ejected from a Surfers Paradise bar on the Gold Coast after being involved in a fight.
It is believed dual international Mat Rogers was also at the bar but there's no suggestion he played any part in the incident which was brought to the club's attention by a member of the public 10 days ago.
"I think it's fair to say at this stage Chris has been suspended in the interim until this matter is resolved," Searle told reporters at a press conference on the Gold Coast.
"It's not a police matter, it's not a criminal matter, there was no harm to any third party and there was no illicit drug use.
"We take all matters seriously where the club or the NRL could be brought into disrepute.
"All matters that relate to player conduct are serious and we investigate them fully."
He hasn't ruled out terminating Walker's contract with the NRL newcomers.
"It's an internal matter that we'll deal with," Searle said.
"I'm not going to have the issue debated in the public forum."
Only last month Walker told reporters he was ready to swap the old bad boy tag for "choir boy" after agreeing to a one-year deal with the Titans and imposing an alcohol ban on himself.
Walker was one of the Titans' best during their three pre-season trial games before breaking his thumb in the club's historic season-opener against St George Illawarra on March 18.
The Titans were considered the last chance for Walker after he had landed in strife during stints with Brisbane, Sydney Roosters, South Sydney and Melbourne.
Walker's manager Chris Orr failed to return calls.
Searle said Walker was due back on the field in four weeks but he expected the club's investigation to be completed within 30 days.
The Titans' disciplinary committee - comprising Searle, club chairman Paul Broughton and coach John Cartwright - will decide Walker's fate.
Searle said the club had four options - do nothing, suspend Walker, fine him or rip up his contract.
"We'd like to conclude this matter as quickly as we can but we're not in a position to do so and I can't comment any further before this process is concluded," he said in a prepared statement.
"Suffice to say we will deal with the matter expediently and sufficiently but we're also conscious of the individual.
"He will obtain natural justice and that's important."
Searle said the investigation was close to being finalised but some new material has come to hand.
He was due to attend an NRL judiciary hearing in Sydney involving Titans back-rower Luke Swain, who's been charged with striking.
http://news.leaguehq.com.au/walker-suspended-indefinitely/20072918-881.html
