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Hazem El Masri's first wife unloads on NRL for not standing by him
The first wife of Hazem El Masri has launched a stinging attack on the NRL, claiming the governing body should have stuck by the Bulldogs legend while he was waiting to clear his name.
El Masri was charged with assaulting former wife Douah El-Cherif during an argument last October, but police dropped the charges during the week. The former NSW and Australian representative was an NRL ambassador but was told to stop making community visits, including one to his son's school, as soon as the charges were laid. When the NRL subsequently released a list of 40 ambassadors for the 2016 season, El Masri wasn't one of them.
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Club legend: Bulldogs stalwart Hazem El Masri is chaired off the field in his farewell game at ANZ Stadium in 2009.Photo: Steve Christo
El Masri and those close to him are livid the 39-year-old was not afforded a presumption of innocence, particularly given Roosters star Shaun Kenny-Dowall – also cleared of domestic violence charges – was allowed to play on until his case had been finalised.
Arwa Abousamra, who has known El Masri for 18 years, and was married to him for 13 of them, slammed former NRL chief executive Dave Smith and his administration for the treatment of the White Ribbon Day ambassador.
"This is for the next generation of NRL players," Abousamra wrote in a letter provided to Fairfax Media.
The right image: Hazem El Masri and his former wife, Arwa Abousamra, in 2009.Photo: Steve Christo
"This is to clear the air about loyalty. The knee-jerk reaction last year by departed NRL CEO David Smith was nothing short of shameful, but personally I wasn't shocked. You see, I have witnessed this sort of thing my whole life.
"It took him less than a second to brand Hazem El Masri guilty without a giving him the benefit of the doubt and standing him down from any appearances, effective immediately. The NRL has such a terrible track record amongst those of us who know how they operate. Just ask the hundreds of retired players that were simply shown the door after years of service and entertainment that raked in millions in profits for that organisation and its clubs. The NRL isn't renowned for its loyalty to its players, it's more loyal to the bottom line, and it will sell you the family image without flinching.
"You see, when it had to jump and fix its dirty image from players getting up to no good they would almost like a flash call on the honourable and loyal members who do the right thing all the time…like Hazem El Masri. With all their shameful displays, he never abandoned ship.
Not guilty plea: Hazem El Masri, centre, arrives at Bankstown Local Court last October.Photo: Peter Rae
"But now when this long-serving soldier for the greater cause of the community needed that faith returned to him, he was shut down and dismissed without being proven guilty. If you want to know what loyalty looks like, you will not find it at the NRL, the only organisation I know of that continuously fails at looking after its own.
"Just take a look at the countless retired players who suffered post retirement and in life after footy due to the NRL's lack of leadership and preparation for its players. They were simply unprepared for that fall from grace, because real life isn't a grassy pitch with thousands of people cheering for you.
"If the NRL wanted to clean up its image, jumping to abandon one of its most loyal players who has served the organisation unwaveringly was the wrong move. The only thing that achieved is countless school kids missing out on having one of the NRL's most vibrant and inspiring facilitators at their school, including his own children.
"Instead of waiting for the law to decide, the NRL's actions branded Hazem guilty in the court of public opinion. If you can't rely on the people who have worked with you and know you for over 20 years then who can you rely on?
"Instead they should have started at the root of the problem. Instead of sacking players who mess up when they are on the drink, maybe you shouldn't seek out sponsorship from the alcohol industry.
"If you promote healthy eating through your 'eat well, play well, stay well' program, which Hazem was an ambassador for, then don't seek out sponsorship from the fast-food industry.
"If you want young men to give you the best of their youth then help them plan better for the rest of their lives.
"And that's only a few tips.
"Maybe it is a blessing you resigned, David Smith, you were a cold and out-of-touch leader. As for abandoning Hazem El Masri without proof of guilt…the only thing Hazem is guilty of at this point, is never really being a part of the boys club.
"Loyalty and integrity was never your best selling point. The NRL needs to be more accountable for its champions and take a leaf out of the book of Cricket Australia and the AFL."
An NRL spokesperson said El Masri's ambassadorial contract for 2015 was paid in full. It's understood El Masri wants to be reappointed in his ambassadorial roles with the governing body and Canterbury now that his name has been cleared.
The first wife of Hazem El Masri has launched a stinging attack on the NRL, claiming the governing body should have stuck by the Bulldogs legend while he was waiting to clear his name.
El Masri was charged with assaulting former wife Douah El-Cherif during an argument last October, but police dropped the charges during the week. The former NSW and Australian representative was an NRL ambassador but was told to stop making community visits, including one to his son's school, as soon as the charges were laid. When the NRL subsequently released a list of 40 ambassadors for the 2016 season, El Masri wasn't one of them.
Advertisement
Club legend: Bulldogs stalwart Hazem El Masri is chaired off the field in his farewell game at ANZ Stadium in 2009.Photo: Steve Christo
El Masri and those close to him are livid the 39-year-old was not afforded a presumption of innocence, particularly given Roosters star Shaun Kenny-Dowall – also cleared of domestic violence charges – was allowed to play on until his case had been finalised.
Arwa Abousamra, who has known El Masri for 18 years, and was married to him for 13 of them, slammed former NRL chief executive Dave Smith and his administration for the treatment of the White Ribbon Day ambassador.
"This is for the next generation of NRL players," Abousamra wrote in a letter provided to Fairfax Media.
The right image: Hazem El Masri and his former wife, Arwa Abousamra, in 2009.Photo: Steve Christo
"This is to clear the air about loyalty. The knee-jerk reaction last year by departed NRL CEO David Smith was nothing short of shameful, but personally I wasn't shocked. You see, I have witnessed this sort of thing my whole life.
"It took him less than a second to brand Hazem El Masri guilty without a giving him the benefit of the doubt and standing him down from any appearances, effective immediately. The NRL has such a terrible track record amongst those of us who know how they operate. Just ask the hundreds of retired players that were simply shown the door after years of service and entertainment that raked in millions in profits for that organisation and its clubs. The NRL isn't renowned for its loyalty to its players, it's more loyal to the bottom line, and it will sell you the family image without flinching.
"You see, when it had to jump and fix its dirty image from players getting up to no good they would almost like a flash call on the honourable and loyal members who do the right thing all the time…like Hazem El Masri. With all their shameful displays, he never abandoned ship.
Not guilty plea: Hazem El Masri, centre, arrives at Bankstown Local Court last October.Photo: Peter Rae
"But now when this long-serving soldier for the greater cause of the community needed that faith returned to him, he was shut down and dismissed without being proven guilty. If you want to know what loyalty looks like, you will not find it at the NRL, the only organisation I know of that continuously fails at looking after its own.
"Just take a look at the countless retired players who suffered post retirement and in life after footy due to the NRL's lack of leadership and preparation for its players. They were simply unprepared for that fall from grace, because real life isn't a grassy pitch with thousands of people cheering for you.
"If the NRL wanted to clean up its image, jumping to abandon one of its most loyal players who has served the organisation unwaveringly was the wrong move. The only thing that achieved is countless school kids missing out on having one of the NRL's most vibrant and inspiring facilitators at their school, including his own children.
"Instead of waiting for the law to decide, the NRL's actions branded Hazem guilty in the court of public opinion. If you can't rely on the people who have worked with you and know you for over 20 years then who can you rely on?
"Instead they should have started at the root of the problem. Instead of sacking players who mess up when they are on the drink, maybe you shouldn't seek out sponsorship from the alcohol industry.
"If you promote healthy eating through your 'eat well, play well, stay well' program, which Hazem was an ambassador for, then don't seek out sponsorship from the fast-food industry.
"If you want young men to give you the best of their youth then help them plan better for the rest of their lives.
"And that's only a few tips.
"Maybe it is a blessing you resigned, David Smith, you were a cold and out-of-touch leader. As for abandoning Hazem El Masri without proof of guilt…the only thing Hazem is guilty of at this point, is never really being a part of the boys club.
"Loyalty and integrity was never your best selling point. The NRL needs to be more accountable for its champions and take a leaf out of the book of Cricket Australia and the AFL."
An NRL spokesperson said El Masri's ambassadorial contract for 2015 was paid in full. It's understood El Masri wants to be reappointed in his ambassadorial roles with the governing body and Canterbury now that his name has been cleared.
