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Banned for life: NRL boss takes hard-line stance on Ben Barba

Ben Barba will be banned for life by the NRL if domestic violence allegations are proven.

The former Dally M winner was sacked by North Queensland on Friday after club officials viewed CCTV footage of an incident at a Townsville casino.

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NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg said the game would refuse to register any future contract if he was found guilty.

“We have run out of patience and tolerance for misbehaviour off the field. I’ll repeat again that violence against women is at the very top of that list,” he said on Saturday.

“If you’re violent against women you can expect to be removed from the game. That starts now.

“The Cowboys overnight have acted quickly and decisively to terminate Ben Barba’s contract. That’s a club showing the leadership that’s required.

Todd Greenberg has threatened Ben Barba with a life ban. Image: Getty
Todd Greenberg has threatened Ben Barba with a life ban. Image: Getty

“If [the CCTV footage] shows violence towards a woman, then really there’s no debate.

Ben Barba will be out of the NRL immediately and I can’t see him every returning. Certainly if the evidence is there he won’t return under my watch.

“I issue this warning to players again. The game has changed and community expectations are clear. We won’t tolerate misbehaviour and the sanctions will be strong, especially for violence against women.

“We had a brilliant 2018 on the field, but quite frankly the off-season has been a complete train wreck.

“We must protect the game.”

Barba was reportedly involved in an incident at a Townsville casino that saw him allegedly assault his partner, Ainslie Currie – the mother of his four daughters.

Barba and Currie have a history of alleged domestic disputes – Currie denied rumours Barba had assaulted her in 2013 after photographs depicting her facial injuries were published.

He was meant to mark his return in the All Stars game in two weeks, however the career of the former Dally M medallist looks dead in the water.

Barely a month after helping Cronulla to their maiden premiership in 2016, Barba left the NRL in disgrace after being suspended for testing positive to cocaine.

But, after failing in a rugby union stint in France, he found a new lease of life in the Super League, where the claimed the Man of Steel award as league MVP.

And his reformation looked to have resulted in an anticipated return in the NRL, only to again find himself in trouble without playing a single minute.