NRL player 'lit man's genitals on fire'

NRL's notorious bad boy Todd Carney and a friend are accused of burning a man's buttocks, scrotum and upper thigh, after deliberately setting his pants on fire, the Seven Network reports.

The newly-signed Sydney Roosters footballer had been holidaying with mates at Airlie Beach in north Queensland when the alleged incident occurred.

Proserpine Hospital confirmed a man was admitted for burns on New Year's Day.

Queensland Police have also confirmed the injuries, but say they will only investigate if the victim makes a formal complaint.

There's no suggestion the attack was malicious but Carney has an infamous past.

The 23-year-old former Canberra Raiders player has been convicted for drink-driving, arrested after a high-speed police chase, charged with malicious damage, accused of urinating on a man at a Canberra nightclub, and even been banned from his home town of Goulburn.

The Raiders sacked him, and just as it looked like his career could be all but over, the Roosters offered him a lifeline.

Carney is due to take the field in the next few weeks, pending the result of an inquiry now underway at the club.

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