The career of one of the stars of Australia’s Rugby League is likely over after a picture has emerged of him engaging in a sex act with a friend’s dog.
The incident took place during Mad Monday – an Aussie rugby tradition following the end of the season involving vast quantities of alcohol.
Bestiality is not a crime in Australia, so Monaghan will face no charges.
Former Australian rugby league international John Hopoate was banned for 12 weeks Wednesday after being found guilty of "interfering" with opponents.
The Wests Tigers winger was said to have jammed his fingers up the backsides of three North Queensland players during a match last weekend. NRL judiciary commissioner Jim Hall said: "I must say in my 45 years involvement in rugby league I've never come across a more disgusting allegation than I've had to deal with now."
Hopoate denied the charges, but television replays appeared to support them. Hopoate, who is as well known for his antics off the field as his ability to score tries on it, continued his protest, saying he thought he had nothing to answer for.
"I'm a great believer in what happens on the field should stay there," he said.
But the graphic accounts of Hopoate's three victims helped condemn the giant Tongan-born winger to another lengthy suspension. "There was pressure there. I know he wasn't doing it accidentally. He was definitely pushing," said North Queensland player Paul Bowman. "I was disgusted. I couldn't believe it."
