Aussie sport in dock over rape allegations and violence

GANG rape allegations against six professional rugby league players have put the spotlight on Australian sport which has been accused of tolerating a culture of violent and loutish behaviour towards women.

Stories of victorious men’s sporting teams running riot are common in a country with one of the highest sports participation rates in the world and which worships its champions as demi-gods.

The latest allegations were made by an unnamed 20-year-old woman who said she was sexually assaulted last month by up to six players from Sydney’s Canterbury Bulldogs, one of Australia’s top teams, which finished third in National Rugby League (NRL) last year.