Former NRL player Hazem El Masri is set to face a Sydney court on domestic assault charges.
Police said the 39-year-old Bankstown man has been charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and common assault.
"The charges relate to an incident at the man's home at about 7.30pm on Monday," police said on Tuesday.
El Masri, who played more than 300 games for the Bulldogs during a distinguished rugby league career, has been granted conditional bail to appear at Bankstown Local Court on Thursday.
The father of three split from his first wife last year.
El Masri is listed as an ambassador on the White Ribbon website, an organisation that campaigns to stop violence against women.
A statement from White Ribbon chief executive Libby Davies said the organisation was "disappointed to learn of the charges".
"White Ribbon advises that Hasem El-Masri is not currently a White Ribbon Ambassador and as always, White Ribbon will provide no further comment on a case before the courts," the statement said.
El Masri played for the Bulldogs between 1996 and 2009 and has been touted as an important role model for young Muslims in southwestern Sydney.
Departing NRL chief executive Dave Smith says there is absolutely no place for domestic violence in rugby league, and says they feel very strongly about stamping it out.
National domestic violence helpline: 1800 737 732 or 1800RESPECT. In an emergency call triple-zero.
Share
