NRL 2020: Canterbury Bulldogs Corey Harawira-Naera and Jayden Okunbor suspended
Bulldogs players Corey Harawira-Naera and Jayden Okunbor have been provisionally suspended and will miss the Round 1 clash against the Eels following shock claims.
The NRL has been rocked by yet another sex scandal on the eve of the code’s season opener with two Canterbury players sensationally stood down amid claims they had sex with two schoolgirls.
Corey Harawira-Naera and Jayden Okunbor were due to be named in the Bulldogs side to play the Eels at Bankwest Stadium on Thursday night but will not play.
The incidents allegedly took place at the team hotel during the club’s visit to Port Macquarie for a trial game last month. It is understood the two females are above the age of consent and the sex was consensual. There is no criminal investigation into the matter.
Corey Harawira-Naera has been issued a show cause notice by the NRL Picture: Alix Sweeney
But Canterbury officials have ruled the two players breached the club’s and the NRL’s code of conduct.
The scandal is a horrible blow to the NRL ahead a massive season kick-off between the fierce western Sydney rivals at what is expected to be a sold out Bankwest Stadium.
The NRL is furious the claims have tarnished the season’s opening blockbuster.
Harawira-Naera and Okunbor have been issued show cause notices by the NRL and could face further disciplinary action.
Jayden Okunbor will also miss the match against the Eels. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images
The Daily Telegraph has been told the two players met the students during a school visit to promote the club’s trial match against Canberra.
Sources claim the alleged sexual encounters were revealed after the women spoke of the incident on a group app.
The parents of both teenagers were told of the claims.
Most NRL clubs forbid women from visiting team hotels on away trips.
The Port Macquarie school where the girls attend has also been made aware.
The incidents could not have come at a worse time for the Bulldogs, who were closing in on securing a major jersey sponsor for 2020.
Bulldogs coach Dean Pay is expected to hold a press conference this morning to discuss the behaviour of his two players. In the club’s statement, CEO Andrew Hill said: “While neither player is the subject of a criminal investigation, the club is treating the matter very seriously. The allegations are that each player engaged in behaviour that represents a serious breach of the NRL rules and the Bulldogs’ code of conduct.’’
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