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The Western Force rugby franchise have reportedly made secret payments over an alleged assault involving halfback Matt Henjak.
According to a report yesterday, the alleged assault was believed to have occurred in a South African nightclub while Henjak was on tour with Super 14 rugby side the ACT Brumbies in 2004.
A South African national, who was paid more than A$15,000 ($17,578) earlier this year, has dropped police charges and a civil case over the alleged incident.
As well as the Western Force, the report claims the secret negotiations also involved lawyer and chief executive of the Rugby Union Players' Association (RUPA) Tony Dempsey, who acted as a legal go-between.
Henjak joined the Force in 2005, with the Brumbies believed to have earlier refused to get involved.
The halfback has not had the best of times in South Africa.
In 2005, he became the first Wallaby in 40 years to be sent home from a foreign tour in disgrace after an incident in a Cape Town nightclub, where he threw ice at a group of students.
Dempsey confirmed Henjak had approached the RUPA on return to Australia but could not comment further due to lawyer-client confidentiality.
"I am not admitting there was payment or settlement. From time to time, we are contacted by the players and I can't comment about that situation at all," Dempsey said.
- AAP
The Western Force rugby franchise have reportedly made secret payments over an alleged assault involving halfback Matt Henjak.
According to a report yesterday, the alleged assault was believed to have occurred in a South African nightclub while Henjak was on tour with Super 14 rugby side the ACT Brumbies in 2004.
A South African national, who was paid more than A$15,000 ($17,578) earlier this year, has dropped police charges and a civil case over the alleged incident.
As well as the Western Force, the report claims the secret negotiations also involved lawyer and chief executive of the Rugby Union Players' Association (RUPA) Tony Dempsey, who acted as a legal go-between.
Henjak joined the Force in 2005, with the Brumbies believed to have earlier refused to get involved.
The halfback has not had the best of times in South Africa.
In 2005, he became the first Wallaby in 40 years to be sent home from a foreign tour in disgrace after an incident in a Cape Town nightclub, where he threw ice at a group of students.
Dempsey confirmed Henjak had approached the RUPA on return to Australia but could not comment further due to lawyer-client confidentiality.
"I am not admitting there was payment or settlement. From time to time, we are contacted by the players and I can't comment about that situation at all," Dempsey said.
- AAP
