Tom Burgess has spoken out in defence of his brother Sam as the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the NRL deal with the fallout from the sexting scandal involving his Facebook account.
Sam, a 29-year-old father of one whose wife is pregnant, has been unmasked by News Corp as one of the Rabbitohs players involved in a damning team sexting scandal.
According to The Daily Telegraph, Sam was among a group of players who exposed themselves, without consent, to a 23-year-old woman in a series of video chats – an exchange, she said, that left her feeling “violated and uncomfortable”.
The woman, who has not been identified, shared screenshots of the footage reportedly taken the evening of May 26, in which a man flashes his backside and another shows his bare torso and genitals.
While their faces are reportedly obscured, the woman claims the footage came from a verified Facebook account in Sam Burgess’ name.
Following the Rabbitohs win against the Dragons on Saturday night, Tom said his brother was disappointed by the scandal.
“Obviously he’s made a mistake but he’s going to be all right.”
“There’s an investigation going on now but they’ll sort it out.”
Sam did not speak about the incident when approached after the game.
His mother was at the game but wife Pheobe, who is pregnant with their second child, was not present.
The scandal also ignited intense debate between journalist Paul Kent and Rugby League Hall of Famer and former Rabbitohs forwards coach Gorden Tallis on Triple M’s Sunday NRL show.
Kent confirmed the NRL Integrity Unit are investigating the incident and will release a decision early this week and said Sam could be stood down for the Rabbitohs’ preliminary final against the Sydney Roosters this Saturday.
Top Comments
"Following the Rabbitohs win against the Dragons on Saturday night, Tom said his brother was disappointed by the scandal.
“Obviously he’s made a mistake but he’s going to be all right.”
“There’s an investigation going on now but they’ll sort it out.”"
Great to hear your brother is "disappointed" by the scandal that he pretty much created. I'm also so glad to hear he's going to be all right, and that everything will be sorted out by that investigation. I was so worried he might actually, you know, be held accountable for his actions. Fantastic to hear that he won't be.