Even though he assaulted his former partner and his brother-in-law, footballer Benjamin Barba continues to get a leg-up in the sporting world. The NRL may have decided to not let him play at the national level, but he’s been given all kind of opportunities in his hometown of Mackay, Queensland.
The NRL may have decided to not let him play at the national level, but he’s been given all kind of opportunities in his hometown of Mackay, Queensland.
Last year, he was appointed head coach of the Souths Sharks.
Now the Magpies United Rugby Club have announced he will be the head coach for the 2026 Mackay All Blacks Carnival.
I’m not saying blokes like Barba don’t deserve to have employment – they do.
But I reckon the minute you hurt a woman (or any other person), is when you stop getting jobs that put you in the public sphere.
In 2013, he was investigated for domestic violence and went into rehab for gambling and substance abuse concerns.
In 2019, he grabbed his partner by the throat, pinned her against a wall and pushed her to the ground. He hit her in the head with a shoe and tossed rocks at her.
The assault went on for about 30 minutes.
Then in 2020, committed another assault – this time on his brother-in-law and pleaded guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm, breaching bail conditions and failing to complete a community service order.
No conviction was recorded (because it might ruin his future in sport) and was ordered to do community service and to pay $1500 in fines and $1000 compensation.
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