The NRL has asked Wests Tigers to explain why James Roberts was at the Tim Tszyu v Dennis Hogan fight on Wednesday night, as they league probes a possible biosecurity breach.
On Wednesday all clubs were sent an email by the NRL warning players that they should not attend the fight in Newcastle.
An exemption was granted for South Sydney duo Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker to attend as part of Tszyu’s entourage under the condition they wore masks and adhered to the COVID plan of the boxer’s team.
However, star centre Roberts was not granted the same exemption prior to attending the fight and on Thursday the NRL asked for a please explain.
At the moment all players subject to level two restrictions under the NRL’s biosecurity plan meaning they must wear masks while indoors and avoid public transport.
Both Mitchell and Walker trained with the Rabbitohs on Thursday before their Good Friday clash with Canterbury, while Roberts is awaiting a possible sanction from the NRL.
Last year the NRL handed down a range of punishments for varied breaches of the league’s biosecurity laws last year including fines and suspensions.
Currently Canterbury and Brisbane players are under the harshest restrictions since playing at Suncorp Stadium last Saturday after which the city went into a three-day lockdown.
On Thursday the Queensland government announced it was lifting the lockdown restrictions from noon, which has alleviated some doubt about whether Magic Round would go ahead at Suncorp Stadium in round 10.
The Broncos and Gold Coast sides have also been relocated to Sydney for the time being.
Bulldogs players have been tested for COVID-19 and are expected to be cleared before they play the Rabbitohs on Friday afternoon at Stadium Australia.