Penrith punish rusty Roosters
6 hours ago | Aidan Edgecomb
Sydney Roosters and Great Britain forward Adrian Morley has apologised to England's Rugby Football League for his off-season drink driving incident, paving the way for him to start the NRL season.
The RFL had earlier threatened to suspend Morley after he was convicted for drink driving in England in December, however, executive chairman Richard Lewis issued a statement overnight in which he said the matter was now closed.
"The Rugby Football League's investigation into the events surrounding Adrian's offence is now complete and it is clear Adrian's conduct was totally unsatisfactory," Lewis said.
"However the matter was dealt with by the courts and, therefore, no further disciplinary action is being taken.
"Nonetheless both the RFL and Adrian felt it would be appropriate for Adrian to clearly demonstrate his remorse for what happened and this he has now done."
As well as apologising, Morley donated STG500 ($A1,195) pounds to the Rugby League Foundation, which funds development of rugby league in England.
"While we are very disappointed that an international player has placed himself in such a position, we recognise that he has shown full contrition for the offence," Lewis said.
"Following his apology to the RFL and his donation to the Foundation the matter is now closed."
The 26-year-old Morley returned to England at the conclusion of the NRL season to represent Great Britain in the Ashes series.
The Test series was sponsored by an anti-drink driving organisation and Morley's subsequent conviction was a huge embarrassment to the RFL.
There had been rumours he would be hit with a six-month worldwide ban, however, that was later played down by English official Maurice Lindsay.
The aggressive forward was handed a community service sentence and a driving ban by the English courts.