The presumption of innocence in criminal matters and the wish of sporting bodies to protect themselves continue to collide.
The former Penrith Panther had been charged with punching his wife in the face during an altercation last April.
Broncos five-eighth Mam spoke for the first time on Thursday since he made a public apology at a December court appearance for his infamous car crash.
The Raiders produced a lesson in crisis management to clubs who have often prioritised the protection of the players over the good of the game and their clubs.
The halfback will have to pay $120,000 in fines to Brisbane and the NRL and will be suspended until round 10 next year after accepting proposed sanctions for driving offences.
The NRL will not allow Ezra Mam to serve part of his proposed nine-game ban in the pre-season All-Stars clash,meaning the entire suspension must be taken with Brisbane.
The NRL has issued the Brisbane Broncos star with a breach notice after he pleaded guilty to drug driving and driving without a licence earlier this month.
You have to go back almost 30 years to find an older halves pairing than Brisbane’s likely round one combination of Adam Reynolds and Ben Hunt.
Sandon Smith tried to lift a car off a man’s foot after the “freakish accident”.
Sandon Smith will face sentencing in Downing Centre Local Court on December 13.