The Sydney Roosters back Shaun Kenny-Dowall has reportedly been admitted to hospital ahead of his scheduled appearance in court over domestic violence charges.
The Roosters NRL player Shaun Kenny-Dowall playing for the Kiwis. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
News Corp reported the Kiwi rugby league international was admitted to hospital in a joint decision by the club and his family following a mental health assessment.
Kenny-Dowall is facing 10 charges, including assault causing bodily harm, common assault and stalking regarding his former partner, and was due to front a Sydney local court today.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson says the 27-year-old, who didn't play against the Warriors last weekend, was in a "dark place".
"It's a tough period for him at the moment. He's in a bit of a dark place with where things are at," Robinson told Fox Sports.
Robinson says he knew about possible charges being laid for "a few weeks" and urged the public not to jump to any conclusions.
Domestic violence groups called for the NRL to take a hard-line stance on players charged with serious crimes.
Karen Willis, executive officer of Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia, said players charged with serious offences, particularly assaults against women, should be immediately stood down by the NRL and the clubs.
Kenny-Dowall's father, John Dowall, said his son was "1000 percent" innocent of the domestic violence allegations levelled against him.
Dowall, a Paralympic gold medallist, has taken to Facebook to protest his son's innocence.
"He is 1000% innocent of all the charges that have been put before him i repeat 1000% innocent and i will stand by him every step of the way for ever long it takes until his name character and integrity has been restored," the Facebook post read.
"No stone will not be turned over in defending him and the allegations that he has wrongly been accused of, I cant begin to tell you all how determined I am to see justice served here and his and my familys integrity restored.
"Im extremly confident that one day Shaun will be able to have his day in a court of law and begin to restore what should never been taken away from him his pride his spirit and his integrity."
