Port Adelaide Release Statements On Patrick Ryder's Charges

'I think it’s unfortunate...'


Article heading image for Port Adelaide Release Statements On Patrick Ryder's Charges

Port Adelaide has released prepared statements from chief executive Keith Thomas and All-Australian ruck Paddy Ryder on Ryder's charges.

The ruckman was charged with hindering police and an assault on a police officer last weekend.

The two criticised the media at a press conference, reading their prepared statements, for its "incorrect" and "unbalanced" reporting of the event, with Thomas saying it has adversely affected Ryder, his family and the club.

Both said they will not answer any more questions about the case until it ends.

Keith Thomas's statement

Good afternoon.

Thank you for attending this media opportunity. Its purpose is for the Port Adelaide Football Club to make a statement about the events of last Sunday morning in the City which involved Port Adelaide’s Paddy Ryder and others.

In a few moments Paddy will make a statement himself.

The Club has been dealing with Paddy and others this week about those events.

We know that Paddy has been charged with hindering police and an assault on a police officer. These allegations are being taken seriously by both Paddy and the Club.

The Club fully supports Paddy and completely respects his right to defend these allegations and allow all relevant matters to be fully and properly ventilated during the court proceedings. We eagerly await the resolution of these allegations in a court of law and we do not intend to engage in any trial by the media or discuss any of the evidence. This can all wait for the court process.

We are well aware that some of the media stories this week have been incorrect, unbalanced and not based upon a true and complete picture of the events. This has been unfair and has had a negative impact on Paddy and his family, and on the Club too.

This will be rectified in due course when all of the evidence will be dealt with in the court process.

Neither the Club nor Paddy will be responding to any questions now or until the conclusion of the court proceedings.

I will now ask Paddy to say a few words.

Thank you.

Paddy Ryder's statement

Last weekend I was charged by police with hindering police and an assault on a police officer.

I think it’s unfortunate that the information given to the public so far by the media falls a long way short of the full picture.

But there is nothing I can do about that at the moment other than to ask people not to judge me yet and to allow me to deal with this in the right way.

I look forward to the opportunity to deal with these allegations in court.

I respect the legal process and I will not say any more publicly until the case is over.

As Keith Thomas said a few moments ago, I will not be answering any questions about these matters until the case is over. So I ask you to respect the legal process in the same way that we here at the Club are doing.

I wish to thank everyone who has offered me and my family their support this week.

It is really appreciated.

Triple M Footy Newsroom

5 October 2017

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Triple M Footy Newsroom




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