Victor Radley exonerated after investigation into incident at World Cup

Roosters star Victor Radley is free to start the 2023 premiership season after being cleared of attacking Ireland player James Bentley in a pub following England's exit from last month's World Cup. Radley was facing suspension and a late start to next season if found guilty of instigating the altercation with Bentley as England players marked the end of their campaign with a team drink.

As first reported by Yahoo Sport Australia, England's Rugby Football League (RFL) employed an independent investigator to examine the matter and file a report. The NRL's Integrity Unit was awaiting the result of those findings before deciding Radley's fate.

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The RFL investigator confirmed an incident had taken place but put the blame on 'a non-England player', saying Radley 'acted in self-defence'. "An RFL investigation has exonerated England forward Victor Radley of any blame for an incident which took place following his side’s exit from the Rugby League World Cup in November," the report stated.

"The compliance investigation, requested by RLWC, involved interviews with a number of eyewitnesses as well as those directly involved. The investigator found a non-England player to have behaved inappropriately and an England player to have acted in self-defence.

"No members of the England squad were at fault. The RFL Board has determined that no further action should be taken – and these findings have been shared with all relevant Rugby League bodies."

Victor Radley expected to be cleared by NRL

The NRL is now expected to rubber stamp the RFL's findings and officially clear Radley of any wrongdoing. Bentley's club Leeds Rhinos are not expected to take further action against their player.

"Our position has been we will wait until the investigation has been completed and then deal with it internally, depending on the outcome," chief executive Gary Hetherington said:

Early reports indicated Radley had initiated the alleged altercation with Bentley, but the investigator's findings completely contradicted this claim. It's understood Radley was defending England coach Shaun Wane at the time of the incident.

It's unsure why Bentley was in attendance at the England team gathering. Radley was a stand-out for England after turning his back on Australia to represent the country of his father's birth at the World Cup.

The host country bowed out in the semi-finals after being beaten by finalists Samoa. Radley's Roosters kick off their premiership campaign against NRL newcomers the Dolphins in Brisbane on March 5.

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