Brisbane Broncos star David Fifita released from Bali jail

Australia World

Updated November 11, 2019 19:55:00

Star Brisbane Broncos forward David Fifita has been released from a Bali police station after being arrested over an alleged assault outside a nightclub at the weekend.

Key points:

  • David Fifita spent two days in a Bali jail cell before his release
  • The 19yo brokered a “peace agreement” with the security guard he allegedly assaulted
  • Melbourne prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona was involved in an incident at the same Seminyak nightclub in October

The 19-year-old is alleged to have hit a security guard outside La Favela nightclub in Seminyak, the same club where Melbourne Storm prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona was involved in an incident in October.

At a press conference, Mr Fifita delivered few words to awaiting media.

“I’d like to thank everyone involved, obviously, including the police and my club and I’ll make a statement later on in the week,” he said.

While Mr Fifita was quiet, his lawyer Muhammad Rifan denied that any money changed hands between the parties over the incident which he described as a slap and not a punch.

“There’s not any compensation, we are just asking to apologise to victim and then the victim accepted,” Mr Rifan told reporters.

“No have any punch in this situation, this is only slapping.”

On Sunday it had emerged Mr Fifita, with the help of Broncos welfare officer Adam Walsh, had brokered a “peace agreement” with security guard Dani Irawan who he is alleged to have assaulted — paving the way for his release on Monday.

The bouncer who accused Mr Fifita of hitting him has reportedly forgiven the 19-year-old and accepted his apology.

It is expected Mr Fifita will have to front the NRL Integrity Unit over the incident when he returns to Australia — something the Broncos alluded to in a statement issued on Sunday.

“David is respectful of Indonesian law and is co-operating with local authorities,” the Broncos said in the statement.

“The Broncos are also working with the NRL integrity unit on the issue.

“The club will provide more updates as information becomes available.”

Mr Fifita was also among the Broncos’ players criticised for playing the pokies the night before they were beaten by Parramatta in an embarrassing NRL finals exit.

Set to enter the final year of his contract with Brisbane, Mr Fifita is widely considered the hottest free agent available for the 2021 season and he is reportedly the target of $1-million season offers.

The incident occurred a fortnight after Mr Fifita captained a Junior Kangaroos team to a win over France in Wollongong.

Topics: law-crime-and-justice, crime, sport, rugby-league, nrl, indonesia, brisbane-4000

First posted November 11, 2019 16:39:14