The Dragons have condemned the actions of their chairman Craig Young after he wrote a court application for Brett Finch using the club’s letterhead.
Former NRL star Finch, 41, is fighting to avoid being sent to prison after using a gay sex chat service to send sick messages about young boys.
The former NSW State of Origin hero suffered a dramatic fall from grace after pleading guilty to one charge of using a transport service to make available child abuse material.
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Rugby league Young produced a glowing reference for Finch and gave evidence at his Downing Center Local hearing in Sydney this week.
“Your honor, as I have stated, I believe that Brett is a very decent young man who has made a genuine mistake in this case,” the statement read.
“I also believe you will never see him in court again.
Young – a former police detective – wrote a reference to the character on Dragons letterhead in a move that angered the club.
“The St George Illawarra Dragons are aware of a letter from chairman Craig Young on club letterhead supporting Brett Finch in his ongoing court case,” a Dragons statement read.
“This statement was made personally and was not endorsed or endorsed by the club.”
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Young apologized for using the letterhead, while former Dragons media manager Jack Brady condemned his “selfish” decision.
“It was an error of judgment to put that statement on the club’s letterhead,” Young said.
“I have been asked to provide a letter of support to a family friend who I believe has made a serious mistake but is a fundamentally decent person.
“I should not have associated the club with this matter and would like to apologize to the members, fans, sponsors and everyone else involved for any distress caused.”
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