NRL stars Latrell Mitchell and Jack Wighton have been arrested following an alleged incident in Canberra involving the duo, which the league’s integrity unit is now investigating.
The Daily Telegraph reported on Sunday morning Mitchell and Wighton, who are regarded as close mates, on Saturday had been out celebrating the latter’s 30th birthday before they allegedly tangled in “a fight between themselves” near a Canberra nightclub in the early hours of Sunday morning.
While the News Corp publication reported witnesses thought it was “not a lot more than a friendly wrestle”, police were called to the scene and Mitchell was charged with resisting arrest, while Wighton was also charged.
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The duo reportedly spent the night in police cells before Canberra Raiders chief executive Don Furner drove Wighton home, while Mitchell started making his way home to Sydney.
“About 3.45am today (Sunday), ACT Policing responded to reports of a disturbance near a nightclub on Bunda Street in the city,” read a police statement, provided to The Sydney Morning Herald.
“Two men – a 30-year-old from Bywong, NSW and a 25-year-old man from Chifley, NSW – were arrested at the scene.
“The 30-year-old has been charged with fight in a public place and fail to comply with an exclusion direction, while the 25-year-old has been charged with fight in a public place, affray, and resist territory public official.”
Police also confirmed the two men were expected to face the ACT Magistrates Court at a later date.
Mitchell earlier on Saturday uploaded a photo of him and Wighton as an Instagram story with the caption: “Happy birthday my brother 30th.”
The Daily Telegraph reported Mitchell and his partner were due to stay over at Wighton’s home that evening.
In a statement, an NRL spokesperson told foxsports.com.au: “The NRL Integrity Unit has been made aware of this matter and is liaising with the Rabbitohs and Raiders clubs.”
Both South Sydney full-back Mitchell and Raiders five-eighth Wighton have been preparing to play for the Indigenous All-Stars against the NZ Maori All-Stars in Rotorua next weekend.
They’ve represented NSW together in past Origin series, while they were also key members of the Kangaroos’ Rugby League World Cup triumph late last year.
A South Sydney club statement on Sunday read: “The South Sydney Rabbitohs are aware of an alleged incident involving Latrell Mitchell this morning in Canberra.
“The Rabbitohs have informed the NRL Integrity Unit about the alleged incident.
“The Rabbitohs will be making no further comment at this stage.”
A Raiders club statement on Sunday read: “The Canberra Raiders have been made aware of an alleged incident involving Jack Wighton last night in Canberra.
“The club has informed the NRL integrity unit and is cooperating with ACT police.
“The Raiders will not be making further comment at this time.”
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