Former NRL player Hazem El Masri is set to face a Sydney court over allegations he assaulted his wife.
The 39-year-old was charged with the domestic violence offences on Tuesday, including assault occasioning actual bodily harm and common assault.
"The charges relate to an incident at the man's home (in Bankstown) at about 7.30pm on Monday that involved his 25-year-old wife," police said.
El Masri, who played more than 300 games for the Bulldogs during a distinguished rugby league career, was granted conditional bail to appear at Bankstown Local Court on Thursday.
Following the allegations, the high-profile former winger stood down from ambassador roles, including White Ribbon, an organisation that campaigns to stop violence against women.
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The charges relate to his new wife, who he married after splitting from his previous wife Arwa, the mother of his three children, last year.
El Masri's ex-wife has defended him in statement: "To believe that he would ever strike a woman is incomprehensible".
He was a member of the Bulldogs' 2004 NRL premiership-winning team and held in high regard as a role model for young Muslims in Sydney.
* National domestic violence helpline: 1800 737 732 or 1800RESPECT. In an emergency call triple-zero.
