Former NRL star and ambassador for ‘White Ribbon Day’ charged with assaulting wife
Former NRL player Hazem El-Masri has been charged with allegedly assaulting his wife.
The 39-year-old Former Canterbury-Bankstown winger has been charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and common assault after police were called to a home overnight following reports of domestic violence.
El-Masri, who is a former ambassador for White Ribbon Day, a campaign to stop violence against women, married his 25-year-old wife recently.
In 2013 El-Masri took part in Sydney’s White Ribbon Walk, where he wore the foundation’s “I Swear” T-shirt in a sign he had taken the oath: “I swear never to commit, excuse or remain silent about violence against women.”
CEO of White Ribbon Australia, Libby Davies, released a statement on Tuesday afternoon following the shocking revelation.
“White Ribbon is very disappointed to learn of the charges laid against former Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs player and former White Ribbon Ambassador Hasem El-Masri. White Ribbon advises that Hasem El-Masri is not currently a White Ribbon Ambassador and as always, White Ribbon will provide no further comment on a case before the courts,” Ms Davies said.
El-Masri has been granted conditional bail and is due to face Bankstown Local Court on Thursday.
