The Canberra Raiders rejected claims they were involved in a cover-up last year to prevent star halfback Todd Carney being jailed, and have turned the matter over to their legal team.
Raiders CEO Don Furner has strongly denied claims made by former player Steve Irwin that he was asked by the club to lie to police on Carney’s behalf.
“The Raiders are taking this issue very seriously and have sought legal advice in relation to Irwin’s comments,” Furner said.
“At the time of the incident and with police present, Irwin was advised by club officials to fully cooperate with police and tell the truth in regard to everything involved with the incident, including identification of the driver of the vehicle at the time.
“The Raiders will make no further comment on the issue at this time.”
Irwin was interviewed by police last year after Carney was involved in a car chase, fleeing police while already suspended from driving before running away on foot.
A News Limited report claimed Irwin was last year asked by Raiders officials to tell police that Carney was not drunk when he led police on a car chase through suburban streets.
"They (Raiders officials) asked me to say he wasn't pissed and that would keep him out of jail," Irwin was quoted as saying.
Raiders chief executive Don Furner rubbished the claim and said the matter would be handed over to the club's legal representatives.
"The Canberra Raiders have strongly denied claims today that they were involved in any type of cover-up in relation to a police matter last year," Furner said.
"The Raiders are taking this issue very seriously and have sought legal advice in relation to Irwin's comments.
"At the time of the incident and with police present, Irwin was advised by club officials to fully cooperate with police and tell the truth in regard to everything involved with the incident, including identification of the driver of the vehicle at the time."
Carney was sentenced to 200 hours community service after the 2007 car chase, which ended with the Raiders playmaker running from officers after abandoning the car in a dead-end street while driving with his licence suspended.
Irwin's claim was also being investigated by ACT Policing, though they denied the case regarding Carney's driving charges last year would be re-opened.
It comes after a troubled week for the Raiders in which utility back Bronx Goodwin was charged with two counts of assault and Carney was alleged to have urinated on a patron at a Canberra pub.
While the complaint against Carney was withdrawn, Goodwin will face court at a later date.
Both players remain suspended by the club pending an internal investigation.
The problems could hardly have come at a worse time for the Raiders as the green machine make a late season charge for the finals.
Canberra face the Gold Coast Titans at home on Saturday afternoon in a vital clash for both sides.
