Tree species An ugly video has emerged of the alleged incident that saw NRL superstars Latrell Mitchell and Jack Wighton arrested in Canberra.
The pair were arrested in the early hours of Sunday morning and are now the subject of an NRL Integrity Unit investigation.
The Daily Telegraph first reported the close friends had been out celebrating Wighton’s 30th birthday when they are alleged to have engaged in a fight described by witnesses as a “friendly wrestle” outside a nightclub.
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Police have confirmed they were called to the scene and both men were arrested at 3.45am.
Both players were kept in police cells overnight.
Wighton was charged with fighting in a public place and fail to comply with an exclusion direction. Mitchell was charged with fight in a public place, affray and resisting arrest.
They will face the ACT Magistrates Court on February 22, just days before the NRL season launches on March 2.
Dramatic footage of the incident was released by Seven on Sunday with footage from a witness showing the moment Mitchell was arrested.
The South Sydney star was seen lying face down on the ground and surrounded by four police officers.
The Channel 7 video shows Mitchell screaming “my shoulders!” multiple times, appearing to be in serious pain.
As he complains about his treatment a woman is heard yelling “you’re literally hurting him, they weren’t doing anything!”
News Corp reported Mitchell sought medical assistance after the incident and will need to pass a fitness test to play in the upcoming All Stars match.
The pair also reportedly returned to Wighton’s home to have breakfast with their partners after being released from police custody at 10am on Sunday.
The NRL has not stood the players down as the integrity unit continues its investigation, an NRL spokesman confirmed.
According to News Corp, Wighton and Mitchell will be available to play for the Indigenous All Stars when they face the NZ Maori All-Stars in Rotorua on Saturday.
According to the report, the pair travelled to Sydney separately on Sunday before the entire Indigenous All Stars team flies to New Zealand on Monday.
The Rabbitohs and Raiders earlier released statements addressing the incident.
A South Sydney club statement on Sunday read: “The South Sydney Rabbitohs are aware of an alleged incident involving Latrell Mitchell this morning in Canberra.
“The Rabbitohs have informed the NRL Integrity Unit about the alleged incident.
“The Rabbitohs will be making no further comment at this stage.”
The Raiders said: “The Canberra Raiders have been made aware of an alleged incident involving Jack Wighton last night in Canberra.
“The club has informed the NRL integrity unit and is cooperating with ACT police.
“The Raiders will not be making further comment at this time.”
An ACT Police spokesman earlier said the incident took place about 3.45am.
“ACT Policing responded to reports of a disturbance near a nightclub on Bunda Street in the city,” the police statement read.
“Two men — a 30-year-old from Bywong, NSW and a 25-year-old man from Chifley, NSW — were arrested at the scene.
“The 30-year-old has been charged with fight in a public place and fail to comply with an exclusion direction, while the 25-year-old has been charged with fight in a public place, affray, and resist territory public official.”
The incident is surprising given the Rabbitohs and Raiders stars are close friends and were part of the Australia’s team that won the Rugby League World Cup late last year.
Earlier on Saturday, Mitchell uploaded an Instagram story of him and Wighton with the caption: “Happy birthday my brother 30th.”