The NRL says it has no reason to doubt North Queensland’s explanation that a controversial tweet which appeared on Robert Lui’s Twitter account was inadvertently posted by a cousin who had opened the account for him.
The Cowboys submitted a report to the NRL on Monday after it requested an explanation for the halfback’s controversial tweet as North Queensland star Johnathan Thurston lined up a second-half penalty goal attempt in their win over Canberra in Townsville on Saturday.
Lui missed the game due to injury and watched from the bench.
“Don’t go for 2. I need 13+,” the tweet read, in apparent reference to a margin bet.
NRL players are banned from betting on matches and face sanctions if they do.
The Cowboys issued a statement on Monday saying the tweet was “inadvertently” sent from Lui’s account by an unnamed cousin.
“The account in Robert’s name was set up by a Brisbane-based cousin who has confirmed this to Cowboys officials this morning,” the statement read.
“Robert’s cousin revealed he had inadvertently tweeted on the player’s account during the match instead of his own account which he was also using on Saturday night.
“A check of his cousin’s account found that he did tweet about betting on a 13-plus margin in the Cowboys v Raiders match.
“Robert is adamant he did not tweet on Saturday night and does not bet on football.
“The Cowboys have now deleted Robert’s Twitter account and cautioned his cousin regarding the incident.”
Lui is out injured with a dislocated kneecap.
A NRL spokesman, who confirmed the club’s report was still being reviewed, said there was “no reason to dispute the club’s explanation”.
“We’ve received a report from the Cowboys and there’s no reason to doubt it,” the spokesman told AAP.
“There is no evidence that he (Lui) has had a bet.
“The report from North Queensland makes it clear he hasn’t placed a bet and was not responsible for that tweet.
“We’re in the process of assessing the club’s report.”
Lui returned to the NRL earlier this season following a ban after pleading guilty to assaulting his pregnant girlfriend last May.
