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Latrell Mitchell and Jack Wighton arrested after alleged fight in Canberra

The NRL players have landed themselves in hot water during the pre-season.

Jack Wighton and Latrell Mitchell, pictured here with the Aboriginal flag at the Rugby League World Cup.
Jack Wighton and Latrell Mitchell pose with the Aboriginal flag at the Rugby League World Cup. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

NRL stars Latrell Mitchell and Jack Wighton have been arrested and charged after an alleged incident outside a Canberra nightclub on Sunday morning. ACT Police said authorities responded to a fight outside a club on Bunda St at 3.45am.

Canberra five-eighth Wighton was charged with fighting in a public place and failing to comply with an exclusion direction. South Sydney fullback Mitchell, 25, was charged with resisting territory public official along with fighting in a public place and failing to comply with an exclusion direction.

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It's believed the two Kangaroos World Cup stars had been celebrating Wighton's 30th birthday, having reached that milestone on Saturday. It is unclear if they were allegedly fighting with each other, given they have been friends for a number of years.

An ACT Policing spokesperson said they were expected to face the ACT Magistrates' Court at a later date. The NRL's Integrity Unit was investigating the incident and said it was liaising with the players' clubs.

Latrell Mitchell and Jack Wighton, pictured here at a NSW Blues training session in 2019.
Latrell Mitchell and Jack Wighton at a NSW Blues training session in 2019. (Photo by Brook Mitchell/Getty Images)

South Sydney and Canberra issue statements

Mitchell and Wighton were members of Australia's World Cup-winning team last November, posing together with the Indigenous flag after their victory. A South Sydney spokesperson said they were aware of the incident.

"The Rabbitohs have informed the NRL Integrity Unit about the alleged incident," the statement reads. "The Rabbitohs will be making no further comment at this stage."

A Canberra statement said the club was co-operating with ACT police. "The Canberra Raiders have been made aware of an alleged incident involving Jack Wighton last night in Canberra," the club said. "The club has informed the NRL integrity unit and is co-operating with ACT police. The Raiders will not be making further comment at this time."

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