The NRL have been warned it will be “a disgraceful look for all women in rugby league” if chief executive Andrew Abdo presents controversial Roosters player Michael Jennings with his 300-game ball on Thursday.
Jennings has made an unlikely return to the NRL this season at age 35 after serving a three-year ban for using performance-enhancing drugs.
But the controversy Jennings currently faces ahead of his 300th NRL game centres around a civil court case involving his ex-wife.
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In December 2021, a judge ordered Jennings to pay his former partner, Kirra Wilden, over $490,000 in damages for personal injuries.
Wilden alleged in court that Jennings had sexually abused her during their relationship and that he would heavily drink and gamble, and use cocaine regularly.
Jennings denied the allegations, was never charged by police and appealed the ruling, but it was upheld.
The NRL approved the Roosters’ request to re-register Jennings as an NRL player this year and their application reportedly included a desire for him to pay Wilden.
Lawyers acting for Wilden said she still hasn’t received any money from Jennings, according to The SMH.
The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield penned an open letter to Abdo on Monday urging the NRL boss against travelling to Newcastle.
“I’m really worked up about this one and I’ve written an open letter to Andrew Abdo urging him not to go to Newcastle to present the 300-game ball to Michael Jennings, as he does with other footballers who reach that milestone,” Rothfield said on Big Sports Breakfast.
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“It has nothing to do with his drugs suspension, he did his time and on that basis is back in the NRL.
“However, there is a massive, massive integrity issue here around a civil court case in 2021 where he was found guilty of sexually assaulting his ex-wife, not once but four times. He appealed, which is his right, but lost as a second court upheld the decision.
“Jennings was ordered to pay his ex-partner, who had to give up work, she was so shattered by what had happened, he was ordered to pay his ex-wife $500,000 in damages.
“He has not paid back one cent of that money and this is a disgraceful look for all women in rugby league if Andrew Abdo travels up there and presents the game ball to him under these circumstances.
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“I’m different with people like Curtis Scott, people will say what about Curtis Scott? Curtis Scott for his domestic violence was given a 12-month community corrections order which he served. He’s done his time.
“Michael Jennings has not done what the court told him to do. I’ve read all the court evidence, it is quite horrific and I feel really, really sick about the NRL being in Newcastle to honour his 300th game.”
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