NRL: Wayward Eel Semi Radradra appears in court over domestic violence charges

Semi Radradra playing against the Kiwis earlier in the year. Photo / photosport.nz

Semi Radradra has been forced to surrender his passport after he appeared in Parramatta Local Court this morning.

The Parramatta Eels winger failed to show for a hearing relating to domestic violence charges on Monday as he cared for his ill father in Fiji.

Magistrate Tim Keady gave Radradra 48 hours to provide sufficient documentation for missing the original hearing, otherwise he could be found in breach of his bail.

Radradra, dressed in a charcoal suit and supported by his manager George Christodoulou, was not required to speak during this morning's hearing.

While the judge accepted the explanation, he noted ''in Australia I expect more by way of a medical explanation be tended to me".

Keady made a point of making Radradra surrender his passport, which would deny him any surprise trips back home to Fiji _ or any other country _ prior to his next court appearance.

Radradra will be required to fight three domestic violence charges involving his former partner Perina Ting on February 13. He has already pleaded not guilty to those charges.

The court date will fall just 20 days before Parramatta are expected to kick off their 2017 NRL campaign.

If convicted The Daily Telegraph understands that Radradra is likely to be banned for the entire 2017 NRL season.

Parramatta boss Bernie Gurr has refused to speculate on the impact of the matter on Radrada's playing future, saying the club was in "constant dialogue" with the NRL integrity unit.

"The key thing over the last couple of days has been, No. 1, to get Semi back in the country and, No. 2, today to face the court," Gurr said. "So that has absolutely been the priority, to respect that legal process. This is a very serious issue.

"We are concerned, but the reality is it's a legal issue now and we just have to support that process and see where it goes."

Radradra flew back to Sydney last night. While in Fiji, it emerged Radradra would join French rugby powerhouse Toulon for their 2017-18 season.