NRL: Sam Burgess' account allegedly used in Rabbitohs' Auckland lewd video chat

  • 15/09/2018

The alleged lewd behaviour of South Sydney players during a video chat with a 23-year-old female fan reportedly came from Rabbitohs superstar Sam Burgess' Facebook Messenger account. 

The Daily Telegraph has revealed Burgess is at the centre of the scandal, releasing screenshots it claims are from his social media account.

The female alleges one man showed his genitals, while a second flashed his bottom during a video chat - without her consent - in a chat involving several Souths players after their 30-10 win over the Warriors in Auckland in May.

The men's faces cannot be seen in the published screenshots.

It is unknown if Burgess, 29, is one of the nude men in the screenshots, but it is known he was involved in the view chat as there is a screenshot of him talking to the female.

The woman claimed the exchange came after she sent the England international a message on Instagram when she found a fake profile of him on the dating app Tinder, while on an overseas trip.

That eventually led to the alleged video chat, which left her felling "violated and disgusted".

Screenshots released by the Daily Telegraph.
Screenshots released by the Daily Telegraph. Photo credit: Daily Telegraph
Screenshots released by the Daily Telegraph.
Screenshots released by the Daily Telegraph. Photo credit: Daily Telegraph

In the days after, the woman sent an email to the Rabbitohs. The club confirmed it was received by football operations manager Brock Schafer on June 1.

Schafer replied to the initial email, however subsequent emails sent on June 5 and August 31 were never replied to as club's IT system had tagged them as spam.

Frustrated by the Bunnies' lack of action, the woman contacted the Daily Telegraph.

The NRL's Integrity Unit is also investigating the young woman's claims.

"I first asked the club to investigate in May but, apart from an email acknowledging my complaint, no one got back to me," she told the Telegraph from South Africa, where she is currently holidaying.

"I don't want anyone to get into trouble and I don't want any money for this. I just want this sort of behaviour to stop - the players think they're indestructible.

"It's not fair girls are put in a position where they are made to feel violated and uncomfortable. An apology would be nice."

The club put out a statement on Friday regarding the issue.

"The South Sydney Rabbitohs will investigate claims in today's media regarding alleged player behaviour in May this year," it read. "A thorough investigation will be undertaken in conjunction, and in close cooperation, with the NRL's integrity unit.

"Since receiving contact details last night for the female involved, Rabbitohs officials have attempted to make contact via phone and email. The Rabbitohs take any allegations of player misbehaviour very seriously and will not be making any further comment until the completion of the investigation."

Burgess, who signed a new four-year deal with the Rabbitohs earlier this month, was contacted by the Daily Telegraph to discuss the alleged incident but he declined to comment.

The Rabbitohs face the St George Illawarra Dragons in their elimination semi-final on Saturday night.

Newshub.