Panthers deny any wrongdoing in Cartwright scandal

Penrith Panthers supremo Phil Gould says the club had no knowledge of or involvement in Bryce Cartwright paying his former partner to have an abortion.

Cartwright is at the centre of a scandal just days into the start of the 2017 season, with reports emerging that he paid a woman $50,000 to terminate the pregnancy.

Panthers life member and former player Lou Zivanovic reportedly helped Cartwright broker a deal with his ex.

Gould said he had reviewed the complex situation and believes Cartwright acted "as well as any young man could in the same situation".

"I've had a couple of discussions with Bryce over the weekend and we'll deal with that going forward for Bryce's welfare," Gould said.

"I think too, for Bryce's welfare and knowing Bryce for a long time, it was important to me in dealing with the facts of this matter that I was satisfied that he'd acted in a respectful manner and a supportive manner and I'm satisfied in this respect that Bryce has done as well as any young man could in the same situation."

Gould said the Panthers never got involved in the matter, claiming Zivanovic acted without any instruction or connection with the football club.

"We're giving Bryce all the support we can give him. It's difficult, I know a lot of people go through this in their lives and it's not the first time this has happened to a young couple.

"It's a huge decision (to have an abortion) and it's very emotional. I guess from Bryce's perspective he thought the matter was settled some time ago, so this, what happened on the weekend, sort of hit him like a bolt of lightning, so we’ve got to deal with that going forward."

Gould said he didn't know about Cartwright's situation in November, when the woman's pregnancy was terminated.

"I had no knowledge of the story up until that point of time," Gould said.

"By the time I had contacted him (Bryce) there had been a rumour or gossip column about an unnamed NRL player, but this process was well under way and almost finalised by then.

"By the time I had got the heads up, whatever had taken place away from the club had already transpired."

Panthers Group Chairman David O'Neill also said the club "had no prior knowledge of these allegations".

"At no stage has the club communicated with 'Miss X' or directed any other person on behalf of Panthers to do so," the club's statement said.

"Panthers have no knowledge of receiving any correspondence from 'Miss X'.

"Out of respect to both parties, the club will be making no further comment."