Hazem el Masri rejects the NRL's offer

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Rottie

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A devastated Hazem El Masri has rejected an offer to rejoin the NRL as an ambassador after the governing body offered him a revised contract worth 80 per cent less than the deal he was previously on.

El Masri has had a long association with head office following the completion of his glittering football career, but the relationship came to an abrupt halt after the was charged with assaulting ex-wife Douah El-Cherif. The NRL immediately ordered El Masri to stop making community visits, including one to his son's school, as soon as charges were laid. El Masri cleared his name when police dropped charges last month, with Canterbury immediately welcoming one of their favourite son's back into the fold as an ambassador.

The NRL has been much slower in coming to the negotiating table and, when it did, El Masri, was insulted by their offer. The revised deal, worth about $350 per community visit, works out at about $10,000 a year and is approximately 20 per cent of the contract he was previously on.


Let down: Former NRL star Hazem El Masri. Photo: Peter Rae

Still smarting from the fact the NRL didn't afford him a presumption of innocence - particularly given Roosters star Shaun Kenny-Dowall was allowed to play on while waiting to be cleared in court - there was no way El Masri was going to accept a reduced offer.


"They have been given another chance to stand by my side and they still haven't. It's hard to take," El Masri told Fairfax Media. "Instead of standing by my side and moving forwards, they have gone backwards. I can't comprehend it, to be honest. It's hard to swallow.

"I am disappointed because I've been loyal for so long, even when the AFL came to [poach] me [as an ambassador]. I've always given 100 per cent. Especially with what happened lately, I have kept it to myself. I don't want to bag anyone, I have a lot of friends in the NRL and I want to continue that [friendship] with some of them. I just don't know what direction they are heading towards."


Bulldog: Hazem El Masri pictured with his daughter in 2009. Photo: Mark Nolan

Asked if the NRL had offered an apology for not sticking solid while he was waiting to clear his name, El Masri said: "The only comment they made is that, 'It could have been handled better'. That's not an apology, that's just a way out."

El Masri has gone above and beyond the call of duty during his time as an ambassador, most notably in his efforts to stage the NRL's Harmony Day in Punchbowl four years ago. The former Blues and Kangaroos winger worked tirelessly on the project for three months, saving the NRL about $70,000 by arranging free use of Parry Park with the council, as well as organising the associated catering, rides, prizes and infrastructure.

However, Rugby League Central's decision to put him on the same rate sheet as its other 40 ambassadors means El Masri won't be sharing his story with the members of the community who need to hear it most.

"It's heartbreaking because of the communication I have with kids," he said. "Especially with the flock of refugees coming in ... English is their second language. I can relate to that, that's my story. I came to Australia at the age of 12, I had to work my butt off to be able to make a living. It's all about respect, believing in yourself and striving. Dream, believe, achieve – this is what I'm about.

"I came here as a non-English person who had never played the game, I played soccer and then I made the Bulldogs. It's a story to show you can succeed if you just work hard. Language barrier? Don't worry about it. I've experienced everything and I can relate to these kids."

An NRL spokesperson said it had a full complement of ambassadors for 2016, but had decided to offer El Masri up to 25 appearances at the going rate.

"Regrettably, Hazem has declined that offer but we accept his decision," the spokesman said.

El Masri, a former Ken Stephen Medal winner for his services to the community, said he had received strong support from most quarters during the most trying period in his life.

"It's been a very tough time for me, my family and everyone," El Masri said. "The people have been fantastic, they've gotten right behind me. They just want me to be involved in the community. They know what type of person I've been from day one, always taking time out to say hello and put a smile on someone's face.

"I've been through a hell of a lot in my life, probably a lot more than any other player out there because I was part of the Bulldogs team that went through the salary cap dramas, the Super League dramas, the Coffs Harbour dramas.

"Being a Muslim, too, I've been through September 11, the Bali bombings, the Cronulla riots, so many things. But I stood strong because I'm here for everyone."



Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...ambassador-20160412-go4p98.html#ixzz45fOyiubu
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Fuck the NRL
 

Izy

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Good on him. The NRL are missing out, not him!
 

Shanked

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TBH I think the NRL are only doing this to try and push him away from the NRL. They obviously know that he wont accept that kind of offer.
not great publicity move though
 

habs

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They can use Greg Inglis as an ambassador instead.
 

Indiandog

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TBH I think the NRL are only doing this to try and push him away from the NRL. They obviously know that he wont accept that kind of offer.

yeah they have plan to replace Hazem with the likes of SKD, Ferguson etc etc
 

Nano

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They can use Greg Inglis as an ambassador instead.
HA wouldn't be surprised if they did bro, aslong as you are some type of skilled player the NRL won't shine you away...
 

Izy

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Announcement just been made. New NRL ambassador.
.arana_taumata.jpg
 

LordSidious66

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Never liked Hazem. Will never forget how he used the media to try get another year contract out of us. An average player who needs to leave our club alone
Hope your joking like seriously he won us a lot of games. His picture perfect goal kicking and the try won us the 04 grand final. Also his kicking won us a lot of games during his career.
 

Indiandog

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Hope your joking like seriously he won us a lot of games. His picture perfect goal kicking and the try won us the 04 grand final. Also his kicking won us a lot of games during his career.

you must be new around here, cos you dont know Godberts. lol
 

terrylamb4lyfe

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Why is he not our goalkicking coach?
Pretty sure when this was asked a while ago its because we already have Halligan in that position, and there isnt much point having 2 goal kicking coaches given its basically just a job for the boys.
 

bLaQDoG..

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If the NRL ever burnt down to the ground and I had no more footy to watch, I'd at least be so content knowing these f*ckers at NRL HQ are the one's who brought it down due to situations like this.

The slopes have only been getting steeper by the year.
 

Mr Invisible

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LOL .. guys Godberts is a massive troll..

Announcement just been made. New NRL ambassador.
.View attachment 269
Arana is still playing these days. For Newtown Jets in their halves.

From all accounts has matured a lot since the days of almost creating a one man riot at Windsor Wolves home ground after not being allowed to bring his dog in.

This is a slap in the face for El Masri. Whilst I don't agree with how he used his position in the community to get some things his way, he is a club hero, and deserved to be treated with dignity. I'd think he has a good legal case if they terminate his services/contract based on (what is now) unfound allegations which got dismissed in court. I reckon he'd have a good chance of holding him to the existing/previous contract he had.

NRL are a basketcase..
 
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