Aston Villa footballer Jack Grealish has been charged with two driving offences over a car crash during the coronavirus lockdown.

The 24-year-old is due to appear in court accused of driving without due care and attention and failing to stop at or report a collision, West Midlands Police said.

An investigation was launched after reports of a car hitting parked vehicles and the driver fleeing on foot in Solihull on 29 March, according to the force.

Grealish issued a public apology following the incident, which happened a day after he had posted a video urging people to stay at home during the coronavirus lockdown.

The Villa captain said he had “stupidly agreed” to go to a friend’s house and was “deeply embarrassed” by his actions.

He will appear before Birmingham Magistrates Court on 25 August.

At the time of the incident, West Midlands Police said two parked cars had been left with minor damage.

Aston Villa later released a statement confirming Grealish – their star player – would be disciplined and fined, with the money going to a local charity.

“Aston Villa is deeply disappointed that one of our players ignored the government’s guidance on staying at home during the coronavirus crisis,” a club statement read.

“Club captain Jack Grealish has accepted that his decision to leave his house was wrong and entirely unnecessary. It breached the government guidelines which are clear and should be adhered to by everybody.”

Grealish played for Villa in the first Premier League match since before the lockdown on Wednesday evening – a 0-0 draw against Sheffield United.

Before the match, both sets of players and the referee “took a knee” in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Several NRL clubs are reportedly interesting in the services of Jack de Belin as the St George Illawarra forward awaits the outcome of a court hearing.

The 29-year-old hasn’t played since being charged with aggravated sexual assault following an incident in Wollongong in late 2018.

Out of contract at the end of 2020, de Belin is still being paid by the Dragons as part of the NRL’s no-fault stand down.

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De Belin was due in court in February before the coronavirus pandemic saw the case delayed until June 22.

Speaking on Triple M, The Australian‘s Brent Read said de Belin’s contract situation is garnering interest around the competition.

“It’s a big month for Jack, he’s in court in June and we’ll see what happens,” Read said.

“It’ll either get dismissed or it’ll go to a hearing later in the year and Jack won’t play again this year if that’s the situation.

“There’s some clubs hovering around Jack de Belin right now, there’s some clubs that are definitely interested in signing him, some who’ve sounded him out about the potential of that happening, if he’s able to get off those charges.”

Read says if de Belin is to return, the long lay off could extend his career.

“Jack de Belin is a NSW State of Origin player, he hasn’t played in almost two years ago now but you’ve got to think that’s going to tack some time on the end of his career,” he added.

“Don’t worry, there’s plenty of clubs sniffing around Jack de Belin at the moment.”

Read also confirmed that acting NRL CEO Andrew Abdo would be willing to sit down with the rep forward and discuss a potential return.

“Andrew said ‘look, the door’s open if Jack de Belin wants to come and have a chat to me, I’m happy to talk to him,” he said.

Exiled St George Illawarra forward Jack de Belin could be cleared to return from his indefinite suspension before the NRL season restarts after the coronavirus hiatus, according to reports.

De Belin was the first player banned under the NRL’s controversial no-fault, stand-down policy last February.

The policy, introduced under ex-ARL Commission chairman Peter Beattie, allows the NRL to indefinitely suspend any player charged with an offence carrying a maximum jail sentence of 11 years or more.

De Belin is facing five sexual assault charges stemming from an alleged incident involving a woman in December, 2018.

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His trial, alongside co-accused Shellharbour Sharks player Callan Sinclair, was initially due to commence in February but was rescheduled to early November before the COVID-19 crisis hit.

Having already missed the entire 2019 season, De Belin’s case is now almost certain to be pushed back to 2021 due to further delays in the court system caused by social distancing rules.

As first reported by News Limited, De Belin is seeking an in-person meeting with NRL CEO Todd Greenberg in a bid to have his suspension lifted.

But the Dragons and NSW lock’s biggest hope of a 2020 return lies in the Rugby League Players Association’s (RLPA) legal challenge of the no-fault, stand-down policy.

The RLPA will argue the NRL violated the current collective bargaining agreement (CBA) after failing to consult them before implementing its powers to suspend players before a legal matter has been decided by the courts.

An independent arbitrator will hear the matter in the coming weeks, with News Limited reporting a decision could be reached by the end of April.

If the RLPA prevails, new CEO Clint Newton will push for the policy to be immediately eradicated, clearing the way for the off-contract De Belin to immediately return.

De Belin challenged the no-fault, stand-down policy in the Federal Court in 2019 but withdrew his case in August.

Meanwhile, new ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys this week boldly declared the NRL competition could resume as early as June.

The season was suspended last month after just two rounds due to the coronavirus.

“My office has been retained to represent Jack Jones regarding the current allegations,” the statement said. “These past few weeks have been extremely challenging for Jack. However, with the support of his family, Jack will overcome this adversity and resume his education and collegiate playing career. Jack’s family, along with Kathy Ultreras, is presently in the process of posting his bond. Moreover, I will be corresponding with the District Attorney’s office in the next few days and look forward to working with them to resolve this situation.”

Canberra Raiders fullback Jack Wighton will plead not guilty to nine charges after facing court in the ACT, as the club confirmed he would continue to train and play.

Wighton, 25, briefly appeared in ACT Magistrates Court this morning to face nine charges including three counts of inflicting actual bodily harm and five assault charges against three named complainants as well as three unknown persons.

He is also charged with one count of public urination.

The charges relate to an altercation which is understood to have occurred outside a nightclub in Canberra in February this year.

At his first appearance today, Wighton’s lawyer told the court he would be pleading not guilty to all charges.

He was supported in court by Raiders coach Ricky Stuart, along with the club’s football manager Matt Ford and media manager Ben Pollack.

The club said Wighton would continue to train and play.

“The Raiders continue to work with the NRL Integrity Unit and have informed them of the latest developments,” the club said in a statement.

He has been named in the starting team for this Saturday’s NRL match against Parramatta at GIO Stadium.

Wighton missed Canberra’s last game against Canterbury after his partner gave birth to their second child on the morning of the match.

He is contracted to the Raiders until the end of the 2020 season and has played 121 NRL games since making his debut in 2012.

In a press conference this morning, his teammates said they were not letting the allegations affect their preparations.

“He’s a strong lad and from what I see around in training, he’s doing awesome,” player Jordan Rapana said. 

Luke Batman said: “He’s been going very well, as well as you can be.”

Wighton did not comment as he left court.

The case was adjourned and will return to court for hearing on July 10.

With AAP. 

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