The scandal surrounding rugby league star Mitchell Pearce has deepened with reports the NRL is investigating a text message exchange between his alleged fellow Australia day partygoers that appears to make references to drug use.
The Roosters playmaker Mitchell Pearce makes a pass. 2015. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Yesterday the disgraced Sydney Roosters' co-captain apologised for his drunken behaviour before travelling overseas to check into a rehabilitation clinic.
Pearce was filmed at a party on Tuesday night attempting to kiss a woman, simulating a sex act with a dog and allegedly urinating on a couch.
A series of text messages has emerged from that night referring to the distribution of "liney lineys".
Liney lineys is believed to be a drug reference.
The text exchange is understood to include one person who was with Pearce and a number of Roosters players at the Royal Oak Hotel, where they had kicked on after a club-sanctioned boat cruise earlier that day, the Nine Network reported.
The party then carried to an apartment in Bondi, where Pearce was then filmed attempting to plant an unwanted kiss on a woman, before simulating a lewd act with her dog and allegedly urinating on a couch.
The texts reveal a person named "Jack" had captured the footage of Pearce in the apartment and considered selling it to "end his career".
According to the texts, which haven't been authenticated, they weren't friends of Pearce's.
"No none of us were - they were with us at the oak and they were pretty normal - giving out liney lineys and then they jumped a cab with me back to hers and went f....king ape shit! Jack just sat there filming it all," the text read.
The NRL said on its Twitter feed that its integrity unit was in possession of the alleged texts but it wouldn't be commenting until its investigation was over.
Last night the Roosters issued a statement revealing the 26-year-old Pearce, already stood down from all club activities, was on his way overseas to check into a rehabilitation clinic to address his alcohol issues.
"The Sydney Roosters can confirm that Mitchell Pearce will be receiving treatment in an intensive rehabilitation facility for an extended period. Pearce has tonight departed for the overseas facility with his mother, Terri.
"The club's concerns for Mitchell's welfare remain paramount as he seeks treatment," the brief statement ended."
Yesterday afternoon, a clearly shaken Pearce fronted reporters.
"I would like to unreservedly apologise to everyone for my actions over the last couple of days," said a teary Pearce, who did not take questions from reporters.
"My behaviour was unacceptable, I'm embarrassed and take full responsibility for my actions.
"I acknowledge that I have a problem with alcohol and it's something I need to address. It's not an excuse but a realisation that I finally need help. Together with the club, I'm working on a solution to address these issues and it will come out in the next couple of days."
The NRL is under intense pressure to sack Pearce, but it is increasingly likely he will be spared the axe and will be slapped with a lengthy suspension.
He is also expected to incur a hefty fine, the loss of his co-captaincy and banishment from the NSW State of Origin team.
-AAP
