The National Rugby League will not acknowledge Sydney Roosters veteran Michael Jennings’ 300th match this weekend after a complaint was lodged by Jennings’ ex-partner.
Jennings has returned to the NRL this season after serving a ban for using performance-enhancing drugs.
During his time away from the sport, the one-time star centre was forced to pay more than $500,000 in damages to his partner who alleged Jennings abused and raped her on several different occasions.
“Due to past conduct, Michael Jennings will not receive official NRL recognition on his 300th match,” NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said.
Lawyers for Kirra Wilden, Jennings’ ex-wife, confirmed to The Sydney Morning Herald that Jennings is yet to pay any damages.
“I think it’s disgraceful that they have allowed this to happen,” Wilden told the newspaper.
“It’s upsetting as I feel the NRL doesn’t take the safety of women seriously.
“People wonder why people don’t speak up about these types of incidents, it’s because I feel nothing gets done about it in time.”