Ben Barba’s partner Ainslie Currie will decide by Friday whether she will participate in the NRL integrity unit’s investigation into the Bulldogs’ early season suspension of the Dally M Medallist.
Currie’s Gold Coast-based lawyer Campbell MacCallum said his client had been asked to speak with NRL officials on Thursday but was still mulling over the request.
“They have sent a standard letter requesting her appearance,” he told AAP.
“They did want her to appear yesterday but she wasn’t able to so she is still deciding.
“They are awaiting final instructions as to whether she will appear or not.”
MacCallum said if Currie agreed to talk it was likely to be by teleconference.
The NRL investigation was launched after weekend newspaper reports of an alleged assault on a female the day before Barba was suspended.
A photo was published showing blood coming from a woman’s lip.
Bulldogs coach Des Hasler later confirmed Currie came to the NRL club to voice concerns regarding the star fullback earlier this year.
However, Currie has maintained she has never been the victim of domestic abuse.
Then Bulldogs CEO – and current NRL head of football – Todd Greenberg, Canterbury chairman Ray Dib and Hasler are also expected to be interviewed as part of the investigation tipped to take days rather than weeks.