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'Won't be allowed back': Brutal fallout for NRL player 'on thin ice'

Brisbane Broncos centre Kotoni Staggs' off-field behaviour has become a concern for league boss Andrew Abdo. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Brisbane Broncos centre Kotoni Staggs' off-field behaviour has become a concern for league boss Andrew Abdo. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images) (Getty Images)

Brisbane Broncos NRL star Kotoni Staggs is reportedly 'on thin ice' with league boss Andrew Abdo over his off-field behaviour.

The 22-year-old centre has again found himself at the centre of an off-field scandal, after he was accused of drunken behaviour and making unwanted advances towards a woman at a Brisbane pub.

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Staggs is in the midst of rehabbing a torn ACL suffered last season, and is slated to return to the field later this season.

The latest incident follows a 2020 altercation at a pub in Dubbo, which resulted in him being issued a breach notice by the NRL and two of his friends pleading guilty to assault.

He was also the victim of a sex tape scandal last year, after a video of him was distributed without his consent.

However Abdo's patience with the Broncos star is reportedly at risk following Staggs latest off-field strife, with The Australian's Brent Read revealing the league boss had met with the embattled star prior to the 2020 season.

Speaking on Triple M, Read said Abdo had made it clear to Staggs that alcohol-fuelled off-field incidents would threaten his future in the league of they continued.

“He’s on very thin ice Kotoni Staggs,” Read said.

“I wrote a story, I think it was before the season began that the NRL was keeping a very close eye on him and they were really concerned about his off-field behaviour.

“Andrew Abdo wanted to meet him and Andrew subsequently had that meeting with Kotoni Staggs and painted it very clear: ‘clean up your act off the field or you won’t be allowed back in the game.’

“As part of that Kotoni has had to undergo some education courses with alcohol and with empathy, those sorts of things and he will not be allowed back in the game until he meets Andrew Abdo and demonstrates that he’s done those courses.”

NRL probe into Staggs won't deter Broncos

Kevin Walters insists an NRL investigation into the drunken behaviour of Staggs will not deter Brisbane's bid to re-sign the off-contract centre.

There is no police investigation and the NRL is reviewing CCTV footage of the incident to determine the next course of action.

It adds to a worrying list of incidents involving the boom youngster, which could be a factor if the NRL determines he has a case to answer.

Earlier this year Staggs copped a $10,000 fine and was forced to undergo an education course for using a homophobic slur towards a fan who asked for an autograph.

The NRL has reportedly become concerned over the off-field behaviour of Broncos star Kotoni Staggs. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
The NRL has reportedly become concerned over the off-field behaviour of Broncos star Kotoni Staggs. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images) (Getty Images)

Also concerning is the fact Staggs was drinking while in rehab for an ACL injury suffered late last year.

Walters said the club became aware of the latest incident a few days ago.

"We're aware of the situation with the NRL integrity unit and we will leave it in their safe hands," Walters said on Thursday.

"I won't make any more comment than that, we are certainly aware of the situation and that it is being investigated by the NRL.

"We are up here to play against the Eels, Kotoni is not here but we are supporting him, like we would all our players in this situation."

It comes as Staggs was involved in big-money talks with Gold Coast to join them next season, while he still has a player option in his favour to stay at the Broncos.

The Titans have reportedly pulled their multi-million dollar offer, leaving the Broncos in the box-seat to re-sign Staggs.

With AAP

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