In a shocking development, the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs have officially terminated the contract of their captain, Stephen Crichton, following serious domestic violence allegations. The decision comes as Crichton finds himself at the center of a police investigation, which has cast a shadow over his career and the reputation of the club.

Reports surfaced earlier today from several top media outlets that the Bulldogs made the decisive move after it was revealed that Crichton was under investigation for an alleged incident of domestic violence. The club’s management has reportedly been working closely with legal authorities and determined that the severity of the situation required immediate action.

The Bulldogs issued a brief statement confirming the termination, stating that the club has a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of violence and that their decision reflects their commitment to maintaining the highest standards of conduct both on and off the field.

“The Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs have today terminated the contract of Stephen Crichton effective immediately, due to a breach of our code of conduct. We take allegations of this nature very seriously and stand with the victims of domestic violence,” the statement read.

Stephen Crichton, who has been a key figure for the Bulldogs, leading the team as captain, has yet to make a public statement regarding the allegations or the termination of his contract. The investigation is ongoing, and Crichton could potentially face serious legal repercussions if the allegations are proven true.

This incident is the latest in a series of off-field controversies that have plagued the NRL in recent years, highlighting the ongoing challenge of addressing issues of player behavior and maintaining the integrity of the sport.

The Bulldogs will now need to quickly regroup and appoint a new captain as they face the remaining fixtures of the season without one of their most prominent players. The club’s management is expected to make further announcements in the coming days regarding their leadership structure moving forward.

As the legal proceedings continue, the NRL and the wider rugby league community will be watching closely, with many calling for stricter measures to be put in place to prevent such incidents in the future.