Sydney Roosters chairman Nick Politis has defended the club’s decision to hand Victor Radley the harshest penalty in its history, insisting the sanctions align with his “zero tolerance” stance on drugs.
According to The Daily Telegraph, Politis flew back from Canada on Thursday, September 18, to deal with the fallout after court documents revealed police allegations that former teammate Brandon Smith linked Radley to a drug dealer during a golf trip in June.
While Radley has not been charged and there is no evidence he used drugs, the Roosters imposed a 10-game suspension without pay, costing him around $140,000, and ordered a $30,000 donation to St Vincent’s Hospital.
“Option one was to sack him,” Politis said. “But while he has brought the club into disrepute, there is no proof that Victor snorted cocaine. He hasn’t been charged with anything. Zero tolerance means you punish a player more severely than we ever have before.”
Radley, who was told not to attend Thursday’s Jack Gibson Medal night, accepted the punishment and apologised to the club.
Politis revealed the North Queensland Cowboys had expressed interest in taking Radley on loan but said the idea was dismissed.
“It was a hard decision,” Politis said. “Ten games, no pay, and $30,000 to cancer research at St Vincent’s Hospital. He didn’t want to leave and he’s copped his penalty, which is the heaviest we’ve ever handed down.”
Source: Daily Telegraph.
