Coyne apologises for Singapore antics

Mark Coyne has apologised and recounted how he came to be arrested in Singapore six weeks ago, which led him to stand down from the Australian Rugby League Commission.

The 51-year-old former Australian international and Queensland representative will reportedly return to Australia after fronting court in the Southeast Asian city state on Wednesday.

“I should’ve made a public statement earlier,” Coyne told The Daily Telegraph.

“It was a very embarrassing situation for me and my family. I was in a bit of shock. I’ve never been in trouble before.

“I’m very embarrassed. It’s been a very humbling experience. I have a strong respect for the Singaporean police and the integrity they are held in. I’ve learnt a valuable lesson.”

Coyne said he had been visiting friends on the night but realised he had drank too much and went home.

A short time later he got into an argument with a local taxi driver, who called Singapore police.

The newspaper reports that police asked Coyne to show them his passport, which he could not do as it was in his hotel safe.

The police then assumed he was an illegal immigrant, waving away his attempt to show them his NSW driver’s license, before putting him into their van.

“I admit that when I was put into the police van I was quite angry and frustrated. I was disorientated given I had only been in Singapore for a day,” Coyne told the Daily Telegraph.

“My language was bad. I’m not someone who usually swears. People who know me know I’ll rarely swear.

“I lost it and I swore really badly. I have to apologise for that. I’m really embarrassed I did that.

“Those actions are out of my normal character. I’m not someone who curses or swears. On this occasion I did.”

Coyne reportedly apologised in court and will shortly return to Australia.

The NRL confirmed on Wednesday night that Coyne had been stood down from the ARLC pending further discussions with chairman Peter Beattie.

“I have had discussions today with commissioner Mark Coyne in relation to an incident in Singapore,” Beattie said via a statement.

“Mark has agreed to stand down from the ARLC until he and I can have a longer conversation about the facts.”

Coyne’s drama comes months after the ARLC ticked off on the no-fault stand-down policy for players charged with serious criminal offences.

The latest addition to the ARLC in February, Coyne had been considered a serious candidate to eventually succeed Beattie as chairman.

Coyne played 222 first-grade games for St George and St George Illawarra, six Tests for Australia, and 19 State of Origin games for Queensland.

“Mark has exactly the type of skills and background that we want on the commission,” Beattie said last November of Coyne’s appointment.

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