Three month detail emerges in Ezra Mam saga as top lawyer slaps down ‘inappropriate’ theory
Top legal expert Lee Hagipantelis has shed light on the extended delay surrounding the Ezra Mam case, revealing that it can take up to three months for results from a secondary drug test to be processed. Many NRL fans have grown increasingly frustrated, questioning why no formal charges have been brought against the Brisbane Broncos’ five-eighth, who was involved in a serious traffic incident last month that resulted in a four-year-old girl suffering a fractured hip.
Mam reportedly tested positive in an initial roadside drug test and was allegedly driving without a valid license at the time. He is currently awaiting the results of a secondary test conducted by Queensland Police. However, despite weeks having passed since the incident, there is still no clarity on the next steps, leaving fans and officials in a state of limbo.
Both the NRL and the Brisbane Broncos are awaiting this secondary test result before making any official decisions on Mam’s future. While they appear inclined to give him a second chance rather than terminating his lucrative $4 million contract, the 21-year-old could still face a substantial suspension lasting up to 12 months, depending on the legal outcome. This lengthy delay has left many in the sport community wondering what will happen next.
On Tuesday morning, Hagipantelis, who also served as the chairman of Wests Tigers, addressed the issue on SEN radio. He explained to hosts Andrew Voss and Greg Alexander that such delays, though frustrating, are not uncommon. “It’s not unusual but it is unfortunate,” he said. “The wait can stretch to three months or more in some cases.”
Comparing the situation to that of Bulldogs’ player Josh Addo-Carr, Hagipantelis noted that Addo-Carr’s secondary test results were processed more swiftly, allowing the club to make a quick decision to release him. Alexander inquired if there was any way to expedite the process, perhaps through financial means. However, Hagipantelis dismissed this notion, emphasizing that paying to fast-track results would be “inappropriate” and “improper.”
Some have speculated that Mam could be placed on temporary suspension under the NRL’s ‘no-fault stand-down’ policy. However, Hagipantelis highlighted that this policy is typically reserved for criminal charges that carry a potential prison sentence of at least 11 years. If found guilty, Mam could face a maximum of five years in prison or a $50,000 fine under Queensland law, which would fall short of the criteria for this policy.
Yet the policy does allow for exceptions if the criminal act involves women or children, raising questions about whether the NRL could choose to invoke it due to the involvement of a young child in the incident. Hagipantelis indicated uncertainty over whether the league would exercise this discretion, noting the severity of the injury to the four-year-old.
For now, both the Broncos and the NRL appear to be taking a cautious approach, observing the legal process closely. Hagipantelis summarized their position, saying, “If Mam pleads guilty or is found guilty, the NRL and Broncos will step in. Otherwise, they’ll wait for the legal process to unfold.”
The Ezra Mam case remains a developing story that highlights the complex intersection of legal and disciplinary procedures within professional sports. While fans eagerly await a resolution, it is clear that all parties involved must wait for the judicial system to provide clarity before further actions are taken.
