Fans fume at Creek call amid assault allegations
The NBL, the Australian Basketball Players' Association and South East Melbourne have agreed to allow Mitch Creek to resume training and playing while he deals with assault allegations.
Creek will be available to play in Thursday night's game against the Illawarra Hawks.
The move comes after the NBL initially stood him down from all duties when he was charged with allegedly assaulting a woman in Melbourne last November.
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The Boomers representative hasn't trained or played with the Phoenix since he was charged by Victoria Police on March 15.
The decision to allow Creek to play has sparked outrage among fans.
Mitch Creek - up on DV charges - allowed to play in the NBL.
— Jessica Halloran (@JessiHalloran) March 30, 2021
Jordan De Goey - charged with sexual assault - allowed to play in the AFL.
The men running these sporting codes need to read the room.
Being a sporting God shouldn’t excuse you. Adopt an NRL-like stand-down policy
The #NBL are letting South East Melbourne’s Mitch Creek back to play after initially saying he’d be off until the outcome of his domestic violence case was known. Ordinary. https://t.co/CyCSRjWNAp
— A Sporting Discussion (@ASD_radio) March 30, 2021
Absolutely shithouse sports administrating by the #NBLhttps://t.co/4JWNV85XII
— AJ Mithen (@AJMithen) March 30, 2021
This is perplexing to say the least, why sit him the first place then? #NBLhttps://t.co/Qfcnx8V5RP
— NBLReport (@NblReport) March 30, 2021
This is the correct decision
— Ken (@kenjordan27) March 30, 2021
Untill Mitch is proven by the courts guilty or innocent.
A persons life and lively hood should not be on the line by accusations.
If these charges are found guilty in a court of law.
Then he should be punished.
But only once proven.
There’s a big room of people who believe in the presumption of innocence. This same people believe that a man should not have his livelihood and reputation ruined over unproven allegations.
— J-JHewlett (@JhewlettJ) March 30, 2021
On Tuesday, his lawyers were informed that his preliminary hearing, scheduled for this Thursday, has been adjourned and rescheduled to be heard later next month after he notified the court he would be contesting all charges.
The decision to allow Creek to play is not an indication of his guilt or innocence in relation to the criminal investigation being undertaken by Victoria Police, which the NBL and South East Melbourne are treating extremely seriously.
He will relinquish his co-captaincy of the team and will not participate in any community activities with the Phoenix until the matter has been determined by the courts.
The NBL and South East Melbourne will continue to review the matter and will take into consideration any decisions or directions made by the courts.
With the legal process underway and confirmation by Basketball Australia's Integrity Unit that a hearing panel into its investigation will not be convened prior to the matter being heard by the courts.
The news of Creek's inclusion comes on the same day that Basketball Australia chief executive Jerril Rechter announced her resignation.
Originally published as Fans fume at Creek call amid assault allegations
