Tigers halfback Robert Lui has been charged by police and is now in police custody after being charged with nine offences, including assaulting his girlfriend who is pregnant.
20-year-old Lui, has already appeared at Burwood Local Court and was refused bail.
“Burwood police have arrested a 20-year-old man in relation to allegations of a domestic violence-related assault on the weekend,” a police statement read.
“The incident is alleged to have occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning at an address in Abbotsford.
“A woman suffered facial injuries.
“The matter was reported to police later that day.
“The man has been charged with nine offences.”
The offences that Lui is facing include two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, three of common assault, one of malicious damage, one of choke with intent to commit an indictable offence, one of detain for advantage and one of aggravated robbery.
Lui, who has been playing some terrific football has put that form down to the fact that he has become a father for the first time.
He was one of the stars in the Tigers run to third place before they were defeated by minor premiers, the Dragons.
The incident is bad timing for the NRL as they try to shift all the attention onto the much anticipated grand final between the Dragons and the Roosters.
Whilst Lui will fight the charges, he has been stood down indefinitely by the Wests Tigers as they get to the bottom of the case.
“Lui has told the club that he will vigorously contest charges laid against him,” the club said in a statement.
“The matter is now one for the police and the courts to manage.”
It said the club would respect the legal process and the rights of everyone involved by not entering into any further comment.
“Robert Lui has been relieved of his club duties until further notice so that he can properly concentrate his attention on the matters in question.
“Wests Tigers has an inclusive and family orientated culture and does not condone violence against women.”
Give the Tigers zero tolerance policy against poor player behaviour, something that former Tiger Daine Laurie knows all about, should Lui be found guilty, he may suffer a similar fate.