- Michael Jennings will not be part of the parade of retired players
- The soccer star has decided to quietly retire from the sport
- Jennings returned this year after a three-year drug ban
Controversial rugby league player Michael Jennings will not be part of Sunday’s NRL retirement parade at Accor Stadium, but it is not because he has been accused of raping his ex-wife.
NRL veterans including Tyrone Peachy, Aaron Woods and Shaun Johnson will have the chance to say goodbye to fans on the grand final day, but according to the Sydney Morning Herald Jennings has chosen not to be included.
The Roosters have confirmed that Jennings, who played 307 NRL games, has quietly retired from the game after receiving a release from the club during the week.
In April, the NRL canceled plans to hold Jennings’ 300th first grade match after his ex-wife said the league “does not take women’s safety seriously”.
NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo made the decision not to honor the Roosters center landmark after consulting ARL boss Peter V’landys, Roosters boss Nick Politis and coach Trent Robinson.
“Due to his past conduct, Michael Jennings will not receive official NRL recognition in his 300th match,” Abdo said at the time.
Jennings returned to the game this season after serving a three-year suspension for steroid use.
After testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug in 2020 while at Parramatta, Jennings maintained his innocence but ultimately accepted the charges in a bid to reduce his ban from four years to three.
Michael Jennings (pictured) will not be part of the NRL retirement parade on Sunday after opting to quietly retire.
Jennings’ ex-wife Kirra Wilden (pictured together) alleged that he sexually assaulted her during their relationship.
While suspended, Jennings was ordered to pay nearly $500,000 in damages to his ex-wife Kirra Wilden following allegations of sexual and verbal abuse in a civil lawsuit.
The allegations included Jennings raping her four times between October 2014 and early 2016, the star claims, but she denies it.
Jennings has never been charged with those allegations.
His return to the NRL was approved by the Integrity Unit, and his contract was registered on the basis that he met several conditions relating to the case.
“I think it’s disgraceful that they’ve allowed this to happen,” Wilden told the Sydney Morning Herald.
Jennings returned to the NRL this season after serving a three-year suspension for steroid use.
‘It’s disturbing because I feel like the NRL doesn’t take women’s safety seriously.
“People wonder why people don’t talk about these types of incidents, it’s because I feel like nothing is done about it in time.”
According to the report, Wilden’s lawyers maintain that their client has yet to receive money from the soccer star.
“NRL represents our Australian spirit and our international identity,” Moya said of Luca-Leonard, the lawyer of record in the personal injury case.
“Our footballers are setting standards and should respect the law.”