08.11 pm, Saturday November 21 2009

Matthew Johns disputes group sex details

Thursday, May 14, 2009
By Wade O'Leary and Jack Hawke, ninemsn
VIEWS: 0
| FLOCKS: 0
| comments0 comments so far

NRL personality Matthew Johns has refuted some of the claims of the woman at the centre of a group sex scandal that has cost him his career.

In an exclusive interview on A Current Affair, Johns told Tracy Grimshaw the woman was a "willing participant" who never objected to the advances of other players.

Watch ACA's interview: Part one | Part two | Part three

"That's totally untrue," Johns told ACA of the woman's claim she did not intend to have sex with more than two Sharks players.

"I would say that on the night when she came back to the room she was a willing participant in everything that went on."

Johns was one of two players who initially went with the woman to a hotel room to have sex.

He said he was not initially aware of other players entering the room.

"At the time when I went back I was completely unaware of other people coming into the room," Johns said.

"At the point that they did I stepped away from it (the bed).

"In the statement made to police it says she encouraged players to come forward."

But the former Newcastle Knights star and representative footballer said he took full responsibility for the incident. "I've never blamed anyone else in this situation except myself," Johns said.

"I take full responsibility for the predicament that I find myself in."

Also facing the cameras was Johns's wife Trish, who admitted she was "shocked and disgusted" when she found out what had happened.

"But he told me every last detail of the events ... my inquisition went on for months and even years," she said.

"If he wasn't totally honest with me then we couldn't have gone on as a married couple."

Mrs Johns also said her husband's "greatest crime" was "being unfaithful to me as a wife" and insisted it was up to her alone to judge him on that, but added that she found the whole episode disturbing.

"I certainly wouldn't want it to be my daughter," she said.

Last night Grimshaw demanded that Johns "step up" and appear on the show to "face some hard questions". (Watch more: Challenge put to Johns)

Johns' future has been under a cloud since the ABC's Four Corners program aired allegations about his involvement in a 2002 group sex incident in New Zealand while he was playing for Cronulla. (Read more: Group sex "destroyed" woman's life)

Earlier today, Johns was stood down indefinitely from all his on-air commitments with the Nine Network.

Nine CEO David Gyngell said in a statement that the mutual decision had been taken in the best interests of the Nine Network, Matthew Johns and his family, the game and its supporters. (Watch more: Johns enters Nine)

"The fact is, whatever the arguments about the details of the New Zealand incident involving Cronulla players in 2002, the conduct and its aftermath was simply unacceptable, fullstop," he said.

"I fully endorse David Gallop's comments concerning the indefensible conduct of some players and the lack of respect for women — and the critical focus on all stakeholders to help eradicate it from our game."

"I join with him in extending my apologies and sympathy to the young woman involved in the incident, who clearly is still distressed as a consequence." (Read more: NRL chief slams attitudes)

Mr Gyngell said Johns had agreed the decision was in everyone's best interests.

The former Test star arrived at Nine's Sydney offices this morning, along with his manager John Fordham, for the meeting with Mr Gyngell.

In yet more fallout from the explosive Four Corners program, a young Newcastle Knights player who made the "cuddle and cab" remark has received counselling from the club. (Read more: Knights player counselled over 'cab remark'

Simon Williams, a promising Under 20s centre, has been shielded from the media since telling the program much of the drama could be avoided if the female involved was properly thanked and "put in a cab".

 

Most popular

 Demi furious at Photoshop claimsDemi Moore has reacted with fury at allegations her body was badly 'enhanced' by a fashion magazine.
 One dead as Miley Cyrus tour bus crashesThe driver of a Miley Cyrus tour bus has died and one passenger has been injured after the vehicle veered off the road and flipped over in Virginia.
 Spears' ex-boyfriend sentenced to jailBritney Spears' ex-boyfriend Adnan Ghalib is being sent to jail for 45 days for leaving the scene of an accident.
 British poll reveals sexual ignoranceMore than one in 10 British people don't realise that a woman can still get pregnant if she has sex standing up, according to a poll on Friday.
 Departing Oprah problem for TV stationsOprah Winfrey will leave a huge void for broadcast TV in 2011, even as she raises the possibility of more Oprah than ever when she starts her own cable network.
 Kim Watkins' future at Ten uncertainThe future career of morning television host Kim Watkins is uncertain, with Network Ten unable to say if she'll return in 2010.
 Norfolk pilot 'flew without enough fuel'The pilot hailed a hero for ditching his plane safely off Norfolk Island this week may have been dangerously negligent after reportedly making the journey without enough fuel.
 Barmaid claims she had sex with SA premierA former parliament house barmaid has come forward claiming she had a sexual relationship with South Australian Premier Mike Rann.
 Cuba offers free penis implantsCuba's government has offered its first free penis implants, part of a program set to be expanded across the communist island, a newspaper has reported.
 Fire threat eases in the southern statesThe bushfire threat in the southern states has eased as rain and cooler weather sweep through the fire-affected areas.
Amanda Knox at her trial. (AAP)'Harboured hate'Prosecutor sums up murder case against student Amanda Knox. In for the long haul... don't forget activity bag! (Getty Images)Trouble-free tripsTRAVEL: How to plan a family adventure without the pain. A happy fan gets his copy of Modern Warfare. (AAP)Bloody bonanzaModern Warfare 2 rakes in over $500 million in its first week. AAPBad energyIs there a connection between mobile phones and cancer? ACAChurch slammedAussie senator brands Scientology a 'criminal organisation'. Schoolies celebrations on the Gold Coast. (AAP)Schoolies swipeCalls for drinking age to be lifted to 19 ahead of annual teen party.
advertisement
Entourage death Miley Cyrus's driver killed, another injured after tour bus overturns ... read more Running on empty Cleo bachelor pilot reportedly made journey without enough fuel ... read more 'Worst Photoshop ever' Demi Moore's hip deformed in Photoshop disaster ... read more Sickest stunt Furious hackers track down man who hurled dog off bridge and posted video online ... read more Stuck in chair for eight months 365kg man dies after being stuck in a recliner chair for months ... read more Hair dye horror Teenage girl's face 'turns into an alien' after a botched hair dye job ... read more Become a Nine News breaker Seen or heard something? Send tip-offs, images and video from your mobile or PC ... contact us
Premier's sex scandalBarmaid claims she had affair with South Australian leader Mike Rann
You need the latest version of Flash Player.
Enjoy the most vivid content on the web
Watch video without extra features
Interact with applications on your favourite sites
Upgrade now

page complete
Other ninemsn businesses: iSelect RateCity
© 1997-2009 ninemsn Pty Ltd - All rights reserved