Wests Tigers backrower Kyle Lovett charged for drug possession
BRENDEN HILLS and MICHAEL CARAYANNIS, The Daily Telegraph
WESTS Tigers player Kyle Lovett will appear in court next month after police allegedly busted him with cocaine on a night out two days before Christmas.
Police said the 22-year-old Tigers utility was busted with the party drug between 1.30am and 2am at a location in Pyrmont on December 23.
He was charged with possession of an illegal drug and ordered to front the Downing Centre Local Court on February 1.
The development blindsided the Tigers on Saturday with the club admitting they were unaware of the charge Lovett was facing until being informed about them by The Sunday Telegraph.
The club released a statement on Saturday afternoon that said “upon learning of Lovett’s charge, Wests Tigers immediately alerted the NRL Integrity Unity this morning and the two parties are currently working together on the matter”.
“Wests Tigers are incredibly disappointed with Lovett and do not in any way condone his behaviour,” the statement said. “Wests Tigers will be making no further comment until the matter is resolved, both with the NSW Police and the NRL Integrity Unit.”
Further details of where Lovett was at the time he was busted will be revealed when he appears in court.
Lovett’s manager Sam Ayoub could not be reached to answer questions about whether Lovett will plead guilty to the charge or contest it.
The development could be a major headache for the Tigers who were trying to shift Lovett to another team to ease salary cap pressure despite him still being contracted to the club.
It was only on July 13 that reports emerged saying the Tigers told Lovett he was free to negotiate with another clubs if he could find an interested suitor.
The drugs charge could reduce the Tigers’ bargaining power in trying to convince another club to pay a portion of Lovett’s salary and ease their cap problems.
He was also named on Saturday to play in the Tigers’ Auckland Nines side, with the tournament to take place next month.
“Wests Tigers ensure that all players and staff receive the highest level of education in relation to drugs,” the team’s statement said. “The club takes the welfare and education of its players and very seriously with the Wests Tigers Wellbeing and Education department ranked second in the NRL in 2016.”
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