Twist in alleged NRL journo punch-up
A man has been charged after video of an alleged scuffle with prominent rugby league journalist Paul Kent outside a popular Sydney restaurant was spread online.
Police allege the man became involved in a heated argument with the veteran NRL 360 personality outside Totti’s Rozelle shortly after 11pm on Saturday.
Security and other patrons can be seen in the video attempting to intervene before a physical altercation allegedly spills out onto Evans St.
The short video ends with Kent, 54, seemingly charging at the man before being flung upside down and into the base of a nearby tree.
Police attended the scene shortly after and after an investigation on Sunday charged a 35-year-old man after he attended Balmain police station.
The man was charged with a single count of affray before being given conditional bail to appear before Downing Centre Local Court on June 7.
In a statement, police said investigations into the incident, which led to Kent being stood down by Fox Sports on Sunday, were still ongoing.
Fox Sports and News Corp Australia on Sunday issued a joint statement confirming they had stood down the 54-year-old journalist.
“Fox Sports presenter and News Corp Australia columnist Paul Kent has been stood down pending an immediate investigation,” the statement said.
It comes only months after Kent was found not guilty at a court hearing of allegations he choked and assaulted a woman known to him.
Outside court, Kent told reporters the verdict was “vindication” and the allegations had been a “setback” in his life.
