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Message: [QUOTE="Morkel, post: 2527843, member: 8215"] [b]Re: Ben Barba - Breaking News[/b] And when the NRL met with Greenberg shortly after they stood Barba down, he didn't mention anything about the allegations. Similarly, when Greenburg was alerted to the existence of the photograph of Currie with the busted lip, Greenberg (who was now employed by the NRL) did not attempt to investigate, and did not even ask to see the photo. [url=http://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/bulldogs-bosses-kept-nrl-chief-dave-smith-in-the-dark-over-ben-barba-assault-claims/story-fndujljl-1226709355336]Bulldogs bosses kept NRL chief Dave Smith in the dark over Ben Barba assault claims | News.com.au[/url] [COLOR=#000000][FONT=Trebuchet MS][B]NEWLY appointed NRL head of football Todd Greenberg did not tell NRL boss Dave Smith of assault allegations against Ben Barba at a meeting two weeks after the disgraced Dally M medallist was stood down.[/B] [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#000000][FONT=Trebuchet MS]The NRL was never made aware of the assault allegations against Barba while the Bulldogs sought to help the fullback with a stint in a rehabilitation clinic for "alcohol and gambling" problems.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#000000][FONT=Trebuchet MS]Greenberg is also potentially facing trouble on another front, with [I]The Daily Telegraph[/I] able to reveal it had a discussion with Greenberg months ago in which he was told of a photo appearing to show Currie's split lip, but Greenberg took no action.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#000000][FONT=Trebuchet MS]The NRL integrity unit is currently investigating what happened in the early hours of February 24, when Barba's former partner claimed to club officials that she had been hit in the face.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#000000][FONT=Trebuchet MS]As well as the alleged assault, they are also looking at Greenberg and coach Des Hasler's handling of the situation.Greenberg and Canterbury chairman Ray Dib met with Smith two weeks after the press conference to explain to the NRL boss why they took the dramatic step of standing down the reigning Dally M winner.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#000000][FONT=Trebuchet MS]Smith later said he was "comfortable" with the way Canterbury handled Barba's problems, but he did not know of Currie’s claim. [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#000000][FONT=Trebuchet MS]However he did not know the full story, that Currie claimed that Barba assaulted her.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#000000][FONT=Trebuchet MS]But the club believes it acted properly when told of the allegations against Barba, urging Currie to report the matter to police. [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#000000][FONT=Trebuchet MS]She refused, with sources saying she told the Bulldogs she was informing them because she wanted them to find help for Barba.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#000000][FONT=Trebuchet MS]When the Bulldogs indicated they felt obligated to take the matter to police, Currie reiterated she was unwilling to make a complaint and would deny any incident occurred if it was pursued.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#000000][FONT=Trebuchet MS]The Bulldogs felt that without Currie's co-operation they were faced with no other option but to drop police involvement and seek help for Barba.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#000000][FONT=Trebuchet MS]The NRL boss is in a difficult situation, with Greenberg having since left the Bulldogs to join the NRL as head of football. [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#000000][FONT=Trebuchet MS]Just a fortnight ago he fined Manly coach Geoff Toovey $10,000 for his comments on the performance of referees, saying it was "not a good look".[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#000000][FONT=Trebuchet MS]Currie has continued to deny Barba assaulted her, even as late as Saturday when she issued a statement through her lawyers denying the allegation.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#000000][FONT=Trebuchet MS]Given her reluctance to come forward the Bulldogs believed it left them in a difficult position and with no option but to honour her wishes.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#000000][FONT=Trebuchet MS]However it does not explain why Smith was not told two weeks later.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#000000][FONT=Trebuchet MS]Months ago Greenberg was made aware a photograph existed of a woman with blood on her face and that she was allegedly assaulted by Barba.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#000000][FONT=Trebuchet MS]At no stage did he ask to see the photograph.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#000000][FONT=Trebuchet MS][I]The Daily Telegraph[/I] sports editor-at-large Phil Rothfield had been sent the photograph by text message from a person wanting payment.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#000000][FONT=Trebuchet MS][I]The Daily Telegraph[/I] chose not to offer money but alerted Greenberg of its existence.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#000000][FONT=Trebuchet MS]The Sunday Telegraph later obtained the photograph free of charge.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#000000][FONT=Trebuchet MS]Rothfield says Greenberg would not comment when told about the picture. [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#000000][FONT=Trebuchet MS][I]The Daily Telegraph[/I] tried to contact Smith and Greenberg on Monday but they did not return calls.[/FONT][/COLOR] [/QUOTE]

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