CNN —
Rugby Australia and NSW Waratahs have suspended Kurtley Beale after he was arrested and charged with sexual assault allegations in Kingsford, Australia, on Friday, the union said in a statement.
CNN could not reach Beale or his rep for comment.
Beale has been arrested in connection with an incident in which a 28-year-old woman is said to have been sexually assaulted at a licensed building on Beach Road, Bondi Beach on December 17, 2022.
In a statement, New South Wales Police did not name Beale by name but confirmed they had arrested a 33-year-old man on Friday afternoon on the charge, accusing him of sexually touching another person without consent on two counts and inciting another to do so having to touch her sexually without consent and having intercourse without consent.
The person was denied bail and is said to appear in Parramatta Bail Court on January 21.
“Rugby Australia and the NSW Waratahs report that Kurtley Beale has been suspended from all forms of rugby, effective immediately, pending the outcome of the court case and Rugby Australia’s own investigation,” Rugby Australia and the NSW Waratahs said in a joint statement.
“This move follows Mr Beale’s arrest and subsequent charge of serious criminal offenses and is in line with Rugby Australia’s Code of Conduct for Professional Players,” they added.
Beale, who made his Wallabies debut in 2009, was recently named to the Wallabies training squad for this year’s World Cup.
He made his professional debut in 2007 and has spent most of his playing career with the NSW Waratahs.
He recently returned to the club for a third stint in the 2023 Super Rugby season after playing for French club Racing 92.