The NRL tested four Roosters players who were falsely accused on social media of using illicit substances before their Magic Round match against Cronulla. This raises questions about why the NRL is reacting to baseless Twitter rumors instead of supporting its players and not presuming their guilt.
Clint Newton, the head of the Rugby League Players Association, criticized the NRL’s actions, calling it an abuse of power. He emphasized that while players agree to the drug testing policy, its misuse could lead to reconsideration of the policy’s implementation.
On Friday night, Roosters players Terrell May, Brandon Smith, Spencer Leniu, Zach Dockar-Clay, and Naufahu Whyte live-streamed an event on Twitch, giving away jerseys, boots, and caps in a light-hearted, fun atmosphere. However, a small clip from the 89-minute live-stream surfaced on social media, falsely suggesting that the players had taken illicit substances. The speculation grew when one player rubbed his nose and another licked his lips, leading to baseless accusations of drug use.
A reporter exacerbated the situation by tweeting about a video allegedly showing a prominent player with white powder. When the video reached mainstream media, it was clear that there were no drugs involved, nor were the players in an altered state of mind. The video showed nothing incriminating, contrary to the wild claims made on social media.
The Roosters were understandably outraged and issued a detailed media release refuting the false allegations, stating that the clip showed no illicit substance use or any NRL rule violations. They also mentioned that their lawyers were investigating defamatory statements online and considering legal action.
Despite this, NRL drug testers arrived at the Roosters’ training session at Moore Park on Tuesday to target test four players from the video. While the Roosters declined to comment publicly, sources within the club confirmed that the players in the video were specifically singled out for testing. This incident highlights the tension between player privacy and the league’s drug testing policies, particularly when spurred by unverified social media rumors.
