The Richmond Football Club and the AFL have revealed 23-year-old defender Nathan Broad as the player behind the recent leaked nude photo scandal that arose in the days following the Tigers 2017 Premiership win in late September.
Club President Peggy O’Neal and Broad fronted media this morning to deliver statements, which included the revelation that Broad will be handed a mere three-week club imposed suspension to be served at the start of the 2018 AFL season; an unbelievably light slap on the wrist considering that a) it’s a criminal offence in Victoria that potentially carries a 2-year jail sentence, and b) prior speculation had suggested the player involved could be internally suspended for as much as a full season.
The investigation into the incident has been extremely delicate, and included the woman at the centre of the issue, who has remained anonymous, requesting police cease criminal investigations into the leak.
The woman’s family and legal team have been concerned that identifying Broad could, in turn, lead to her identity being revealed in public due to their prior relationship. The woman is confirmed to have previously known Broad before the incident, and was assured by Broad that he had deleted the photo after it was taken.
Instead, the photo ended up being widely circulated on social media in the 24 hours after the Grand Final.
Broad, who delivered a prepared statement and did not take questions from media, stated that he “took full responsibility” for his actions.
I take full responsibility for what I’ve done. I’m ashamed and I’m embarrassed. I let down a young woman who I cared about. I’m deeply sorry for the heartache I’ve caused this young woman and her family. This young woman deserves to have her privacy respected.
Broad also mentioned that he is “the one who deserves to be punished, not her” which is as mind-bogglingly an obvious sentiment as you’re ever likely to see. Broad concluded his comments by pleading with any member of the public still circulating the image to stop and delete it.
Richmond club President Peggy O’Neal then delivered a short statement, reiterating the club’s position of treating women fairly and equally, before announcing the intensely lenient and, frankly, manifestly inadequate punishment.
Nathan Broad has been suspended for the first three games of the premiership season. – @Richmond_FC President Peggy O’Neal #TMS7 pic.twitter.com/NULDzcngoB
— The Morning Show (@morningshowon7) October 30, 2017
Earlier this morning Maurice Blackburn Lawyers issued a statement on behalf of the woman, which included the deeply heartbreaking disclaimer that she “has not received any money or other compensation from the player, the Richmond Football Club or the AFL.” A sad statement that, unfortunately, had to be made.
Maurice Blackburn also confirmed that the leak of the photo has had a large impact on her health and wellbeing, and that maintaining her privacy is the highest priority.
Her main focus has been protecting her privacy, welfare and dignity as she tries to come to terms with what has happened.
The unauthorised distribution of her photograph and the subsequent attention it has received has had a devastating impact on the young woman’s wellbeing. She is desperate to maintain her anonymity as she tries to get on with her life as best she can.
She will not be making any further comment on the matter.
Neither Broad nor the Richmond Football Club have issued any further statements.
