Gold Coast stars Mac Andrew and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan have been investigated by the club after a video of tjem leaving a disabled toilet together during a State of Origin match surfaced online.
In the clip, the two are seen leaving the toilet while a queue of people wait to go in during the series-deciding match at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on July 8.
After the video came to light, the Gold Coast Suns confirmed they had completed an investigation into the duo.
The club has backed the players, saying there is no indication of any wrongdoing.
‘The Gold Coast Suns are aware of vision circulating online involving two of its players,’ the Suns said in a statement.
‘Whilst there is no indication of any wrongdoing by either player in the vision, the club has spoken with both players who deny any insinuation of misconduct.’
Mac Andrew (pictured) was seen leaving a disabled toilet shortly before teammate Jamarra Ugle-Hagan at Suncorp Stadium during the State of Origin decider on July 8
Ugle-Hagan is pictured following his teammate out of the toilet while there was a queue to use the facilities
Ugle-Hagan (pictured) described the controversy over the viral video as ‘laughable’
The club did not clarify why the players were in the toilet or whether any action would be taken against them.
It is not illegal for non-disabled people to use disabled toilets, doing so is regarded as extremely poor behaviour, especially given the stadium was packed with a sell-out crowd.
After the vision surfaced, Ugle-Hagan claimed he and Andrew used the bathroom due to long queues for other restrooms at the ground.
He also said the controversy over the video is ‘laughable’ in remarks made to News Corp.
Andrew has not commented at the time of writing.
The Suns played Adelaide on the Saturday following the toilet incident, with Andrew taking his place with the team.
Ugle-Hagan was not selected and the club said he was withdrawn from playing in a VFL match in Tasmania due to soreness.
Gold Coast were made aware of the incident early on Tuesday morning as it went viral online.
Andrew has also been blasted for making a sexualised hand gesture at a fan (pictured) during the Suns’ loss to Collingwood on July 4
Ugle-Hagan (pictured playing for the Suns in May) did not play on the weekend following the filming of the clip, with the Suns saying he was withdrawn from a VFL match due to soreness
The vision was also shared among group chats with the club launching their investigation shortly thereafter.
Mac Andrew did feature for the Suns at the weekend, collecting 15 disposals and six marks in their 79-point drubbing at the hands of the Crows.
It has been somewhat of a breakout season for Andrew, he has been a model of consistent quality in defence.
His performances have been made all the more impressive given his side’s struggles across the season.
It is not the first time Andrew has found himself in hot water this year.
He has been blasted for making a sexualised hand gesture towards a fan.
The incident, which unfolded during Gold Coast’s round 17 defeat to Collingwood on July 4, saw the 22-year-old make an obscene hand gesture simulating a sexual act towards Magpies fans.
Despite the emergence of the footage, Andrew was not sanctioned by the AFL.
And the Suns will be thrilled with his season so far, especially given his contract with them runs until the end of the 2030 season.
Ugle-Hagan’s difficult season continued as he did not feature at any level for the Suns, having played just three AFL games so far this season.
The former Western Bulldog is in danger of missing out on triggering the mechanism in his contract that would automatically renew his contract come the end of the season.
Though it would appear the Suns are keen to keep him, with the player and club still in talks to sign a contract extension.
The full-forward has endured a difficult couple of years both on and off the field and has received the full backing of the club in this instance.
