NRL must consider Roberts’ history: CEO

The investigation into Brisbane flyer James Roberts’ alleged drunken incidents must take into account his troubled history, NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg says.

The Broncos are investigating claims Roberts has had two drunken run-ins with bar staff in Brisbane during this month.

In one incident, Roberts reportedly received a 10-day banning order from police after allegedly spitting on a bar manager.

The 23-year-old has already been sacked by South Sydney and Penrith in his short NRL career for off-field indiscretions and Greenberg says that will be taken into account during any judgment.

“We always, as we look at judgments on players, look at previous misdemeanours,” Greenberg said.

“There’s no doubt that will create some of our discussion.

“I’ve got to say what I keep hearing from the Broncos is great support for this player and that’s what the game is continuing to do. We need to support our young players.”

Greenberg says the NRL is confident of reaching an outcome in the investigation by the end of the week.

Whether that will result in a suspension is unclear and Greenberg denied the situation is the same as the one involving Sydney Roosters star Mitchell Pearce which ended in an eight-week ban for the ex-NSW Origin player.

“We don’t benchmark one against the other. I understand why the fans do. We can only deal with the facts and we judge those facts in front of us,” he said.

“Until such time as we have those facts in front of me and the integrity unit, it’s very tough to speculate.”

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