A blow for the NRL and the Canterbury Bulldogs on the cusp of the NRL season, with Jayden Okunbor and Corey Harawira-Naera both stood down.
Both Okunbor and Harawira-Naera were issued with show cause notices as to why they should not face further disciplinary action.
The duo will not play in the club’s and NRL season opener against the Parramatta Eels.
The Bulldogs released a statement on the matter.
“Corey Harawira-Naera and Jayden Okunbor have been stood down by the Bulldogs after each was issued a show cause notice by the NRL as to why they shouldn’t face further disciplinary action for alleged breaches of the Game’s Code of Conduct,” the statement read.
“Both players have been provisionally suspended by the NRL and neither player is available for selection for Thursday night’s NRL season opener against Parramatta.
The Bulldogs referred the matter to the NRL Integrity Unit after receiving concerning reports of alleged misconduct by the two players.
The Club also initiated its own internal review.
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, resulting in the NRL notice.
The Club supports the NRL’s decision to issue the breach notices and will continue to work with the NRL to conclude the process.”
Both players have an opportunity to respond to the matters alleged in the breach notice before any final decision is made.”
