Sports people are role models.  They are role models for younger generations.

They represent their country, accept huge pay packets and adulation that go with sporting excellence.  Because of these things, they voluntarily place themselves in a special category of national hero and should be expected to behave appropriately.

At home or abroad they carry the aspirations of a nation whenever they run out onto a sporting field.  We expect of them the same excellence in behaviour off the field (or golf course, tennis court, or wherever) as they demonstrate on it.

Yes, we do expect a lot from our sportsmen but the privileged life of fame and fortune comes at a price - the price of delivery honorable behaviour to the public.  This is not a modern phenomenon, Marco Polo spent many years in the court of one of the great Mongolian Kahns.  He wanted to marry one of the court dancers but was denied because the Kahn wanted to send this dancer off as a bride to a political ally.  Marco Polo was upset because the Kahn knew of his interest.  

It took another member of the court to explain to him that when you accept the life of privilege, status and wealth within the Kahn's court then it comes at a price.  You do what the Kahn expects of you.

Wayne Carey questioned over police assault

Former AFL footballer Wayne Carey has been interviewed by police over an incident at an apartment at Port Melbourne last night.

Police were called to a flat in Rouse Street about 8:00pm AEDT by a man who wanted a female to leave the property.

Police spoke to Carey at the front door when they arrived and it is alleged two officers were assaulted.

They used capsicum spray to subdue Carey, who was then taken to the St Kilda police station.

He was released after being interviewed.

A brief of evidence is being prepared in relation to the alleged assault on police.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/01/28/2147652.htm

and from The Advertiser/AdelaideNow...

Wayne Carey arrested
JANE METLIKOVEC and SHANNON McRAE
January 28, 2008 12:00am

AFL legend Wayne Carey had to be subdued before being handcuffed and arrested last night after allegedly assaulting police at his Melbourne home.

Police used capsicum spray on the former Kangaroos champion at his Port Melbourne home.

Police spokesman Sen-Constable Wayne Wilson said a brief of evidence would be prepared in relation to allegations of assault of police.

He said the matter involved two officers.

Police sources said Carey called police to the apartment he shares with girlfriend Kate Neilson just after 8pm.

He allegedly wanted Ms Neilson removed from the apartment, but when five police cars arrived he refused to let any officers inside.

Carey then allegedly assaulted police when they tried to enter the apartment, and resisted arrest.

Police used the spray to subdue him before handcuffing him.

Paramedics were called to the foyer of the complex to treat Carey, as is standard police practice when capsicum spray has been used.

Police took him to St Kilda police station about 8.30pm.

Witnesses said Ms Neilson left the apartment with police shortly before 9pm.

Carey was released by police before 10.30 last night, and went home.

A neighbour, who arrived home at the same time as Carey was being questioned by police, said the former footballer appeared confused and heavily affected by the capsicum spray.

"I came in to the lobby and I saw Wayne sitting in handcuffs," the witness said.

"He looked a bit agitated. His face was bright red. The paramedics were looking into his eyes and seemed to be checking him out.

"Wayne was very quiet. He wasn't saying much."

The neighbour said he often saw Ms Neilson and Carey in the apartment block, which is one of Port Melbourne's most exclusive addresses.

They kept to themselves and there was never any trouble, the neighbour said.

Another neighbour said she had seen the commotion.

"There seemed to be a lot of police around but Wayne seemed pretty calm," she said, adding "it was much ado about nothing".

A couple who live opposite Carey's apartment building watched from their balcony as the fracas wound down.

The man and woman, who did not want to be named, also said Carey had seemed subdued.

"They had him handcuffed and there was a woman, too, that they took away in a police car," he said.

"It all seemed pretty calm by that time."

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,23118813-5006301,00.html

I have considered this guy a complete idiot since he was caught in the bathroom with his best mates wife! This latest news re Wayne has only instilled my belief even further.

Wayne Carey is the subject of criminal investigation
Article from: Herald Sun
MARK BUTTLER, KEITH MOOR

January 29, 2008 02:10pm

AFL legend Wayne Carey has been axed from a radio commentary job and replaced with Nathan Buckley, as footage emerged of the star in handcuffs.

Melbourne radio station 3AW has cut ties with Carey and recruited former Collingwood star Buckley, station chief Graham Mott today confirmed.

Mr Mott said the decision was made before Christmas and "totally not connected" to Carey's clash with police that ended with him handcuffed and sprayed with capsicum this week.

He said it was unfair for the media to relate the events. "I feel for Wayne," Mr Mott said.

The station wooed Buckley after Carey's special comments gig ended last season. But the deal was yet to be signed so had not been made public.

The football great is now the subject of a criminal investigation that could end with him facing charges of assaulting police and also resisting arrest.
Channel Nine refused to comment on Carey's future.

Sunday's clash in Port Melbourne was the second time a confrontation between Carey, 36, and his girlfriend, Kate Neilson, had led to police involvement.

In 2006, she alleged he assaulted her but later denied making a complaint.
On Sunday night, police tried to enter their Rouse St apartment to check on the welfare of others at the property after Carey called to say he wanted two women removed.

It was at that point Carey lashed out at the officers, who sprayed him with capsicum.

Police then handcuffed the former North Melbourne superstar, led him downstairs and used water to wash the stinging liquid from his eyes.

A woman, believed to be Ms Neilson, was sobbing nearby.

The other woman at the apartment was Sabella Sugar, a friend of Ms Neilson.

The pair were photographed last month at the launch of the Silver Lining Ball at Valve nightclub in Prahran.

Ms Neilson is believed to have declined offers of protection made by police.

Detectives from Prahran CIU are expected to interview Carey, Ms Neilson and Ms Sugar. They will prepare a brief of evidence on whether charges should be laid.

Carey and Ms Neilson could not be contacted for comment.

Chief Commissioner Christine Nixon suggested Carey could learn a lot from Essendon great James Hird on how to be a role model.

She would not comment specifically on Carey's latest run-in with police, but she did say it was important for present and retired sports stars to behave responsibly.

Ms Nixon said they were role models for children and should act accordingly.

"I know we are talking about Wayne Carey, he's one instance," she said.

"But if you think about others, like James Hird, like Adam Gilchrist, Pat Rafter. Those people are role models and they are terrific.

"They are young men who are out there as great examples of being involved in the community. They made good things out of their lives.

"Whether people in sport like it or not, they are role models. They are people who put in a huge amount of effort. They focus. They achieve their goals.

"It's terrific for kids and the community to have people who they admire and they can see have set goals in life and achieved them."

Ms Nixon said some sportsmen might see being a role model as a burden, but it was a burden they should be prepared to accept.

The Seven Network last night aired what it described as exclusive security footage from Carey's apartment building.

Nine reporter Tony Jones said a security guard offered Nine the same footage for $20,000 but the network refused for fear the images were stolen.

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,23125386-5006301,00.html

Carey attacked girlfriend in Miami

By ninemsn staff and wires

Wayne Carey is facing serious charges in the US after allegedly smashing a wine glass in his girlfriend's face before getting into a fight with two policemen in a luxury Miami hotel, authorities say.
The former AFL great could spend up to 15 years in an American jail if convicted.

Miami police were called to the five-star Mandarin Oriental Hotel about midnight on October 27 after reports of a domestic dispute.
When they arrived, Carey's girlfriend of more than two years, Kate Neilson, allegedly told them the football-great-turned-commentator had smashed a wine glass on her face, cutting her mouth and neck.
The two police officers went to the couple's room and attempted to wake Carey who was asleep on the bed.
Carey became belligerent when the two officers tried to talk to him about the incident, Miami Police Lieutenant Bill Schwartz told TODAY.
In his incident report, officer Daniel Rodriguez said he tapped Carey on the shoulder to wake him, at which point he stirred and began yelling "obscenities".
"I explained to the defendant that we were there [in] reference to the incident with his girlfriend. At this point he became aggressive and jumped out of bed and began [a confrontation] with [us]."
Officer Rodriguez alleged Carey pushed him and kicked him in the mouth, and elbowed his partner, officer Camilo Hernandez, in the face as they attempted to arrest him.
"They had to wrestle him down and handcuff him," Lieutenant Schwartz said.
As Carey, 36, was led from his hotel room, he continued "to push Officer Camilo, despite being in restraints, using his stomach and side", Rodriguez said.
Carey continued to be aggressive in the police car, smashing his head against the inside of the car's prison compartment. The officers were forced to put his legs in manacles to control him.
"He used his head as a battering ram and tried to smash a hole between the front compartment of the police car and the prison compartment," Lieutenant Schwartz said.
Carey was taken to Dade County jail where he was charged with assaulting a public servant, resisting an officer with violence, and aggravated assault.
He is due to face the Miami-Dade County Court on February 15.
If convicted of third degree felony charges in Florida, cumulative penalties could run up to 15 years in jail, according to police.
Asked about his state of mind at the time of the incident, Lieutenant Schwartz said he thought Carey had "anger management issues".
"He seems to be angry at the whole world — at least on this particular morning."
"He was a mess. I think he should have left his aggression on the rugby field."
Lieutenant Schwartz said the officers' injuries were very minor.
"I doubt in a case like this, extradition will be forced. However, I'm sure the cops with the sore faces and fat lips would like to see it."
Lieutenant Schwartz said the officers had no idea who Carey was.
"To us he was just another thug who went to jail," he said.
Carey, who played 271 AFL games with the Kangaroos and Adelaide Crows, was arrested on the weekend for allegedly assaulting police during a domestic dispute at his home in Port Melbourne.
He had to be subdued by capsicum spray before being handcuffed and taken to the St Kilda Road police station.
Police said after he was interviewed a brief of evidence was being prepared.
Carey had called police to say he wanted a woman removed from his apartment.
Comment was being sought from Carey.

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=273699

Canterbury Bulldogs star Ben Roberts charged in Wollongong
Article from: The Daily Telegraph
By Phil Rothfield
February 04, 2008 12:00am

CAPSICUM spray was used by police to subdue Bulldogs star Ben Roberts who was charged with resisting arrest and assault after a wild night out in Wollongong.

The club's chief executive Malcolm Noad last night confirmed the club was conducting an internal investigation and talking to police after being made aware of the the halfback's arrest yesterday morning.

"We're extremely concerned and disappointed that Ben's been charged," Noad said.

"But there were other circumstances which preceded his arrest and we understand police are investigating what happened prior to his arrest.

"We're told Ben had been set upon by an unknown group of males.

"He was king hit and kicked on the ground until he was unconscious."

The Daily Telegraph understands Roberts, 22, was taken to Wollongong Hospital by friends for treatment before returning to the Glasshouse Nightclub.

The incident that led to his charges occurred when he was being questioned by police about the brawl earlier in the night.

According to NSW Police spokeswoman, Roberts was "allegedly intoxicated and refusing to leave the area" about 2.40am.

The spokeswoman said he was involved in an altercation with police and capsicum spray was used to subdue him.

Roberts has been excused from training today while he seeks further medical treatment.

"He has had a number of tests today including a brain scan and he's not all that well at the moment," Noad said.

He was taken to Wollongong Police station and charged with resist arrest, common assault, refuse to comply with police direction and offensive behaviour.

Roberts, of Narellan Vale, was bailed to appear in Wollongong Local Court later this month.

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,23154672-5001021,00.html