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A JIM Beam Cup player faces the prospect of a lengthy jail term after being charged with assault for his part in an on-field brawl.
In a landmark moment for rugby league, police have charged Mounties hooker Anthony Farah with two counts of assault for allegedly punching Wentworthville half-back Nadim Couri in the face during a match on July 6.
While previous victims of foul play have successfully sued for damages in a civil court, Couri is understood to be the first elite-level player who has opted to press criminal charges.
Couri suffered a broken cheekbone and fractured eye-socket and is also suing Farah for pain and suffering as well as loss of income.
After holding Farah for three hours on Tuesday morning, detectives at Merrylands police station charged the 25-year-old with recklessly inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent and assault causing grievous bodily harm. The offences carry maximum jail terms of 25 and 10 years.
Farah was released on conditional bail after electing not to answer questions on Tuesday.
He has already served a two-match suspension from the NSWRL's disciplinary committee, and will now face a magistrate at Fairfield Local Court on September 23.
When contacted by The Daily Telegraph, Farah said he was "freaked out".
"I can't say too much but it's freaked me out a bit," he said. "I've always thought what happens on the field, stays on the field.
"The police called me up on Monday and asked me to go to the station. They had me in a holding room for three hours.
"I can't believe it's come to this.
"I'm not that type of player or person - I've never been sent off.
"It was just one of those things that happen in a game of football.
"I'm talking to my legal team about it. I can't say much more."
The incident occurred early in the second half of the round 15 clash at Ringrose Park.
While attempting to charge down Couri's kick, Farah was knocked down by the half-back.
It is then alleged he threw a single punch at Couri, who collapsed to the ground and was later taken to hospital by ambulance.
Referee David Munro did not witness the incident, but sent Farah from the field on the advice of a touch judge. The NSWRL elected not to refer the incident straight to the judiciary because it was not captured on video. League officials took into account Farah's clean record over seven years when formulating a two-week suspension.
Couri, 23, spent eight days in Westmead Hospital and had four titanium plates inserted in his face.
He has been ruled out for the remainder of the season and only recently resumed work fitting doors and blinds. Couri last night said: "I don't know about the pain and suffering, but I reckon (the injuries) cost me at least $10,000 in lost wages and hospital bills. I couldn't eat or see properly for weeks."
A police spokesman said prosecutors had gathered statements from spectators and match officials to assist the case. "Police have interviewed a number of witnesses at the match, as well as match officials," the spokesman said.
In a landmark moment for rugby league, police have charged Mounties hooker Anthony Farah with two counts of assault for allegedly punching Wentworthville half-back Nadim Couri in the face during a match on July 6.
While previous victims of foul play have successfully sued for damages in a civil court, Couri is understood to be the first elite-level player who has opted to press criminal charges.
Couri suffered a broken cheekbone and fractured eye-socket and is also suing Farah for pain and suffering as well as loss of income.
After holding Farah for three hours on Tuesday morning, detectives at Merrylands police station charged the 25-year-old with recklessly inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent and assault causing grievous bodily harm. The offences carry maximum jail terms of 25 and 10 years.
Farah was released on conditional bail after electing not to answer questions on Tuesday.
He has already served a two-match suspension from the NSWRL's disciplinary committee, and will now face a magistrate at Fairfield Local Court on September 23.
When contacted by The Daily Telegraph, Farah said he was "freaked out".
"I can't say too much but it's freaked me out a bit," he said. "I've always thought what happens on the field, stays on the field.
"The police called me up on Monday and asked me to go to the station. They had me in a holding room for three hours.
"I can't believe it's come to this.
"I'm not that type of player or person - I've never been sent off.
"It was just one of those things that happen in a game of football.
"I'm talking to my legal team about it. I can't say much more."
The incident occurred early in the second half of the round 15 clash at Ringrose Park.
While attempting to charge down Couri's kick, Farah was knocked down by the half-back.
It is then alleged he threw a single punch at Couri, who collapsed to the ground and was later taken to hospital by ambulance.
Referee David Munro did not witness the incident, but sent Farah from the field on the advice of a touch judge. The NSWRL elected not to refer the incident straight to the judiciary because it was not captured on video. League officials took into account Farah's clean record over seven years when formulating a two-week suspension.
Couri, 23, spent eight days in Westmead Hospital and had four titanium plates inserted in his face.
He has been ruled out for the remainder of the season and only recently resumed work fitting doors and blinds. Couri last night said: "I don't know about the pain and suffering, but I reckon (the injuries) cost me at least $10,000 in lost wages and hospital bills. I couldn't eat or see properly for weeks."
A police spokesman said prosecutors had gathered statements from spectators and match officials to assist the case. "Police have interviewed a number of witnesses at the match, as well as match officials," the spokesman said.
