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Parramatta NRL player Corey Norman charged with drug offences Parramatta NRL player Corey Norman charged with drug offences
(about 1 hour later)
Parramatta NRL player Corey Norman has been charged with drug offences following an investigation into capsules of MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy, allegedly seized from him at the Star casino in Sydney.Parramatta NRL player Corey Norman has been charged with drug offences following an investigation into capsules of MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy, allegedly seized from him at the Star casino in Sydney.
Norman was with a group of men who were stopped outside the entrance of the casino late on Friday night for a security check.Norman was with a group of men who were stopped outside the entrance of the casino late on Friday night for a security check.
Related: The unnecessary fall of the Parramatta Eels offers rare chance for a fresh start | Nick TedeschiRelated: The unnecessary fall of the Parramatta Eels offers rare chance for a fresh start | Nick Tedeschi
Police say a 25-year-old man is set to face Downing Centre local court on 13 July charged with possessing a prohibited drug and possessing prescribed restricted substance.Police say a 25-year-old man is set to face Downing Centre local court on 13 July charged with possessing a prohibited drug and possessing prescribed restricted substance.
It is the latest blow to the western Sydney club this season after high-paid players were forced to leave because the club had breached the salary cap and captain Kieran Foran was given indefinite leave to attend a rehabilitation clinic in the wake of personal problems.It is the latest blow to the western Sydney club this season after high-paid players were forced to leave because the club had breached the salary cap and captain Kieran Foran was given indefinite leave to attend a rehabilitation clinic in the wake of personal problems.
On Wednesday evening, Parramatta released a statement saying the Eels were aware of a court attendance notice being issued to Norman.On Wednesday evening, Parramatta released a statement saying the Eels were aware of a court attendance notice being issued to Norman.
“Clearly, this is a serious development that will now be factored into the club’s ongoing investigation,” Eels director Geoff Gerard said.“Clearly, this is a serious development that will now be factored into the club’s ongoing investigation,” Eels director Geoff Gerard said.
“The club will continue to work closely with the NRL and relevant authorities throughout this process. In accordance to the values of this football club, we will offer Corey the presumption of innocence and the opportunity to respond to the charges contained in today’s notice.“The club will continue to work closely with the NRL and relevant authorities throughout this process. In accordance to the values of this football club, we will offer Corey the presumption of innocence and the opportunity to respond to the charges contained in today’s notice.
“Importantly, we will continue to offer Corey all of the support and welfare resources available to everyone in the Eels’ family.”“Importantly, we will continue to offer Corey all of the support and welfare resources available to everyone in the Eels’ family.”
NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg said on Wednesday night Norman would be free to play in the Eels’ next game against the Knights in Newcastle, but the charges he faced were clearly very serious.“He’ll have to deal with those and he will deal with that, I’m sure,” Greenberg said. “But again, we’ve learnt over the years that these are charges, first and foremost, and they’ll be given the respect they are, but Corey now needs to make some decisions for himself.
“I think we’ve been pretty clear about players having their right and their day in court so, as that unfolds, he will continue to play.”