Cronulla Sharks chairman stands down over drug arrest

Cronulla Sharks chairman Damian Keogh has been forced to stand down after being arrested for drugs possession in Sydney.

(File Image)

(File Image) Source: AAP

Cronulla Sharks chairman Damian Keogh had conveyed deep regret over his arrest for drug possession, the NRL club's chief executive Lyall Gorman said on Saturday.

"He expressed great remorse to me that he had let me down personally," Gorman told reporters.

Keogh has stepped down from his role at the NRL premiers after Cronulla confirmed Keogh was arrested in Bourke Street, Woolloomooloo on Friday night.

A small resealable bag containing a quantity of white powder believed to be cocaine was allegedly found during the search.

Keogh was issued with a field court attendance notice for possessing a prohibited drug.

He is due to face Downing Centre Local Court on June 30.
Cronulla Sharks Club CEO Lyall Gorman speaks during a press conference in Sydney on May 6, 2017.
Cronulla Sharks Club CEO Lyall Gorman speaks during a press conference in Sydney on May 6, 2017. Source: AAP
Gorman said he had spoken to Keogh several times on Saturday.

"He's very distressed about potential outcomes and the impact on the game, the club and his family," Gorman said.

"There's a whole lot of challenging things to be worked on through here.

"Clearly these things aren't great for the club or the game but let's be clear these are allegations."

The NRL said it was aware of the developments which come a day after the arrest of Roosters star Shaun Kenny-Dowall for cocaine possession.

"We are aware of an incident which involves the Sharks chairman," NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg said.

"We are awaiting further details from the Sharks about what has occurred."

Keogh, a former Australian basketball star who made three Olympic Games teams, took over at the Sharks during the supplements scandal in 2013.

He was voted onto the board after the infamous ASADA press conference and helped rebuild the struggling club from wooden spooners to premiership winners last season.


Share

2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world