HappilyManly
Journey Man
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/nrl-richie-faaoso-rampage-sparked-by-injury-despair-20131125-2y5ww.html
NRL: Richie Fa'aoso rampage sparked by injury despair
November 25, 2013 - 8:10PM
Adrian Proszenko and Nick Ralston
Richie Fa'aoso was charged over a drunken incident just days after he attempted to return to Manly training without a medical clearance for his broken neck.
Fa'aoso was charged over an alleged domestic incident and then leading police on a pursuit through Sydney's south-west while drunk. Fa'aoso's family said in a club statement that "was not a domestic violence matter".
It's understood Fa'aoso's wife, Tori, called police over concerns about the journeyman prop's welfare, rather than her own, after he locked himself in a room alone.
The timing of the incident couldn't have been any worse given NRL identities were supporting the annual Sydney White Ribbon Walk to as part of the campaign to end violence against women.
Those close to Fa'aoso said he has been struggling with depression since suffering a career-threatening injury that forced him to miss the NRL grand final. A fractured C7 vertebra prevented him from taking on the Roosters in the decider and, while he has been publicly upbeat about his chances of a comeback, his future will ultimately be decided by specialists in coming months.
The former Eels, Roosters, Panthers, Raiders, Knights and Sea Eagles has two children, with another on the way, and has been concerned about how to provide for his family if he cannot play rugby league again.
Police said they were called to the NRL player's home at Macquarie Fields at 2pm on Sunday when Fa'aoso, 29, allegedly became involved in an argument with his wife. The Tongan international allegedly knocked over furniture, kicked a door off its hinges and smashed a window before his wife ran off.
Fa'aoso is then alleged to have driven to another house in nearby Ingleburn where the domestic dispute continued, and police were called.
When officers arrived, they tried to stop Fa'aoso as he drove past the premises but he kept driving and a police pursuit began.
He was stopped at Currawong Street at Ingleburn, where he was arrested and was given a breath test.
He allegedly returned a positive reading.
Fa'aoso has been charged with malicious damage, not stopping a vehicle when directed to do so and mid-range drink-driving.
He is due in Campbelltown Local Court on Tuesday. He has also been
issued with an apprehended violence order.
The NRL said its Integrity Unit was investigating the matter and assisting with counselling support for Fa'aoso and his family.
The incident became public just as Roosters captain Anthony Minichiello and NRL ambassadors Fenech, Nathan Hindmarsh and Hazem El Masri were involved in the White Ribbon Day Walk.
"We have clear procedures on any behavioural matter, and Manly has complied with those,” NRL chief operating officer Jim Doyle said.
“There are police matters here that we have to allow to take their course but we are also able to look at some issues and to ensure that there is welfare support for the player and his family.
“Until we do have the opportunity to assess the facts it is not possible to make any further comment.”
In a statement, Manly said: "Richie has the full support of his wife and family, and is presently undergoing counselling.
"Further to this, the family has asked us to make it clear that this is not a domestic violence matter, and that they be afforded some privacy at this time."
Hope that he sorts himself out, his family needs him to be responsible
NRL: Richie Fa'aoso rampage sparked by injury despair
November 25, 2013 - 8:10PM
Adrian Proszenko and Nick Ralston
Richie Fa'aoso was charged over a drunken incident just days after he attempted to return to Manly training without a medical clearance for his broken neck.
Fa'aoso was charged over an alleged domestic incident and then leading police on a pursuit through Sydney's south-west while drunk. Fa'aoso's family said in a club statement that "was not a domestic violence matter".
It's understood Fa'aoso's wife, Tori, called police over concerns about the journeyman prop's welfare, rather than her own, after he locked himself in a room alone.
The timing of the incident couldn't have been any worse given NRL identities were supporting the annual Sydney White Ribbon Walk to as part of the campaign to end violence against women.
Those close to Fa'aoso said he has been struggling with depression since suffering a career-threatening injury that forced him to miss the NRL grand final. A fractured C7 vertebra prevented him from taking on the Roosters in the decider and, while he has been publicly upbeat about his chances of a comeback, his future will ultimately be decided by specialists in coming months.
The former Eels, Roosters, Panthers, Raiders, Knights and Sea Eagles has two children, with another on the way, and has been concerned about how to provide for his family if he cannot play rugby league again.
Police said they were called to the NRL player's home at Macquarie Fields at 2pm on Sunday when Fa'aoso, 29, allegedly became involved in an argument with his wife. The Tongan international allegedly knocked over furniture, kicked a door off its hinges and smashed a window before his wife ran off.
Fa'aoso is then alleged to have driven to another house in nearby Ingleburn where the domestic dispute continued, and police were called.
When officers arrived, they tried to stop Fa'aoso as he drove past the premises but he kept driving and a police pursuit began.
He was stopped at Currawong Street at Ingleburn, where he was arrested and was given a breath test.
He allegedly returned a positive reading.
Fa'aoso has been charged with malicious damage, not stopping a vehicle when directed to do so and mid-range drink-driving.
He is due in Campbelltown Local Court on Tuesday. He has also been
issued with an apprehended violence order.
The NRL said its Integrity Unit was investigating the matter and assisting with counselling support for Fa'aoso and his family.
The incident became public just as Roosters captain Anthony Minichiello and NRL ambassadors Fenech, Nathan Hindmarsh and Hazem El Masri were involved in the White Ribbon Day Walk.
"We have clear procedures on any behavioural matter, and Manly has complied with those,” NRL chief operating officer Jim Doyle said.
“There are police matters here that we have to allow to take their course but we are also able to look at some issues and to ensure that there is welfare support for the player and his family.
“Until we do have the opportunity to assess the facts it is not possible to make any further comment.”
In a statement, Manly said: "Richie has the full support of his wife and family, and is presently undergoing counselling.
"Further to this, the family has asked us to make it clear that this is not a domestic violence matter, and that they be afforded some privacy at this time."
Hope that he sorts himself out, his family needs him to be responsible
