Monaghan apologises for lewd ‘prank’

Canberra winger Joel Monaghan has apologised “unreservedly”, after images of a lewd act were published on a social networking site.

Images of Monaghan, 28, were published on Twitter reportedly involving the former Roosters player performing a sex act on a dog.

The image was taken during the Raiders’ ‘Mad Monday’ celebrations – a traditional post season drinking session undertaken by all teams.

Through his manager Jim Banaghan, Monaghan issued a statement saying the act was a prank brought about by “abject stupidity”.

“Joel can’t blame anyone but himself for an act of stupidity that will haunt him for the rest of his life,” said Banaghan.

“It was a moment of abject stupidity brought about by too much drink and a complete lack of any thought process.

“The fact that someone has sought to compound the situation further by the use of social media only adds to the trauma but Joel accepts that it is his actions alone that are at fault.

“He apologises unreservedly for the outrage that people feel at the moment and blames nobody but himself.

“He will meet the club over the issue and accepts that there must be ramifications but the fact is he is not in a fit emotional state to have those discussions at the moment.

“Joel is a genuinely good person who is simply shattered by a moment of sheer madness.”

The NRL have also issued a statement, in which they promised to monitor any disciplinary action taken by the Raiders.

“We have a system of allowing clubs to take the initial action in relation to disciplinary issues as they are the employers and we will maintain that principle,” said NRL Chief Executive David Gallop.

“The fact of the matter remains that in any circumstance this is an appalling incident and one that has offended everyone associated with the sport.

“It is important that the club deals with it appropriately and that it reports to the NRL as soon as possible on the outcomes.”