3 minute read
Eels star Maika Sivo set to feature in this weekend's NRL Nines with the governing body yet to decide whether to stand him down over indecent assault charge.
Parramatta winger Maika Sivo is set to be available for this weekend's NRL Nines despite facing an indecent assault charge in Fiji.
The NRL last week reserved its decision on whether Sivo would be stood down under its no-fault policy until his case returns to court on February 17.
However the star winger has been named in a strong Eels squad to play in Perth, which has been given the green light by the governing body.
Under the league's no-fault stand-down policy introduced last year, players facing charges with a maximum jail term of 11 years or more are automatically sidelined.
However NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg has the discretionary power to sanction players for less serious offences.
Sivo could fall under that category, having allegedly been involved in an incident with a female staff member at a Fijian resort in late December.
The 26-year-old was initially charged with indecent annoyance, later upgraded to indecent assault, and also had to apply for a travel ban to be lifted to allow him to fly back to Sydney and train with the Eels.
The development comes one week after the NRL opted not to stand down Wests Tigers star Josh Reynolds despite the player facing a domestic violence charge.
Sivo was named in a squad that includes Eels key men Mitchell Moses, Blake Ferguson, new recruit Ryan Matterson and skipper Clint Gutherson.
Bookmakers have installed the Eels as favourites for the exhibition tournament, which involves a $1 million prize should the winner also claim the NRL trophy.