A North Queensland Cowboys NRL player and a female club staff member allegedly engaged in a "sexual act" in an airport toilet despite both being married.
The extraordinary allegations are at the centre of a complaint made to the NRL integrity unit, which has been accused by the husband ofthe woman involved of failing to properly investigate the incident.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports the alleged tryst occurred in a Qantas Lounge toilet in mid-2018 as the Cowboys travelled back to Townsville via Brisbane.
The husband learned of the betrayal and reportedly became furious with the club before allegedly being given valium by the club's then football manager, Peter Parr.
The man was also allegedly provided with a false medical certificate by the club doctor, Chris Ball.
A letter sent to the integrity unit in October last year by the man's lawyer, John Sneddon, states valium was given to the man "to help him cope with the shock" of discovering the affair which was said to have taken place on Father's Day.
The AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) is investigating an allegation Ball falsely claimed he consulted with the husband but he has had no adverse findings made against him to date.
Sneddon was reportedly told in early October the incident would be "progressed", citing the AHPRA probe as a reason for the delay.
Former Cowboys manager Peter Parr (left) denies giving the husband valium. Photo / Getty Images
The alleged airport tryst led to the breakdown of the marriage between the man and the Cowboys' female staffer.
A text message sent from the man to the wife of the player involved was revealed, reportedly sent in late 2018.
"[Name removed], I know you wouldn't like me texting you but I feel no one but you could understand how I am feeling. I only found out today [his wife] gets to keep her job at the Cowboys," he wrote.
"I feel so gutted that nothing what her and [the player] have done after cheating on both of us over that Gold Coast weekend is fair. I have lost everything – my wife, family. I feel so worthless after what they have done but to know that they will still see each other at the club is so hurtful for me.
"I just can't believe Parrie [Peter Parr] is covering [the wife's] tracks and will still let her travel with the team. I feel like no one gives a f**k about how we might feel about it.
"I guess I should just realise I am nobody and not important to anybody especially to [his wife], the Cowboys and obviously [the player] who felt my wife was also his property. I won't bother you ever again. I promise not to ring or text again. I am sorry."
A North Queensland Cowboys player was allegedly involved in a toilet tryst with a married club staffer. Photo / Getty Images
In a statement to the Sydney Morning Herald the NRL integrity unity stated a lack of co-operation was behind the delay.
"Where complaints are made to police or other regulatory bodies we are mindful not to prejudice or cut-across those processes with our own investigations," said a spokesman for the NRL
"The NRL will progress its investigation and is unable to provide further comment."
