NRL Powerless To Suspend Shaun Kenny-Dowall Despite Hard-Line Stance Towards Women Violence

The National Rugby League (NRL) has been rock-solid in its position against violence towards women but the league declined to stand down Sydney Roosters star Shaun Kenny-Dowall after the latter was arrested and charged on Saturday morning. Kenny-Dowall has been charged with 10 domestic violence offences over the alleged repeated abuse against his former partner, Jessica Peris.

NRL claimed it was powerless to suspend the 28-year-old Kenny-Dowall, saying that the rugby star’s case was a “club matter.” However, the league spokesman said via Sydney Morning Herald that NRL will monitor Kenny-Dowall’s case and will take ample measures when the full facts about the situation are clear, adding that there is “no place” for domestic violence in the league.

The league’s refusal to stand down Kenny-Dowall could make the NRL star eligible to play on the weekend against New Zealand Warriors. Roosters released a statement on Friday night saying that the team was aware of the allegations concerning their rugby player, but will currently make no further comments about the issue “as it is a police matter."

Kenny-Dowall turned himself in at a local police station and was charged with 10 domestic violence that include assault occasioning actual bodily harm, six counts of common assault, destroy or damage of property, use carriage service to menace, harass, or offend and stalking or intimidation, as noted by 9news.com.au. Peris, the daughter of former Olympian turned politician Nova Peris, filed for an apprehended violence order against the Kiwi international.

Police statements reported that the incidents were believed to have taken place between October last year and June 2015. Kenny-Dowall has been granted conditional bail and is scheduled to appear before Waverley Local Court on Thursday.

Kenny-Dowall has been displaying a strong performance for the Roosters this season, recording eight tries in his past six games. The New Zealand Test star has played 192 matches since the start of his NRL debut in 2007 and has scored a total of 108 tries during his career.

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