Burgess exploring legal options after Souths players cleared of misconduct

Sam Burgess has posted a message on Twitter, declaring he would explore his legal options in the wake of the allegations of misconduct against South Sydney players.

The Rabbitohs have released their findings from an investigation into behaviour of players following a complaint made regarding alleged inappropriate conduct by a South Sydney player in May.

Burgess wrote in his Twitter post: "I have not sexted anyone. I fully cooperated with the inquiry as I said I would. I have engaged lawyer Chris Murphy to pursue my remedies and he has retained defamation lawyers."

Several South Sydney players embroiled in the saga that has engulfed the club over the past week are pursuing their legal rights after they claim photos were taken without their consent.

NRL.com understands a number of Rabbitohs players are considering their legal options after Friday's announcement of the findings of the investigation, which has since cleared the players of any breach of their NRL contracts.

The anonymous complainant alleged inappropriate conduct by a South Sydney player on a Facebook Messenger video call in May.

The complaint was reported in News Ltd articles in the past fortnight.

The club appointed a panel to investigate the matter in consultation and co-operation with the NRL Integrity Unit. The panel included Rabbitohs chair Nick Pappas and CEO Blake Solly as well as Karyn Murphy from the NRL Integrity Unit, among others.

Rabbitohs players and staff were interviewed by the panel and the complainant was interviewed privately by Murphy but declined to be interviewed by the panel and did not want her identity disclosed, the club said in a statement.

The investigation found that no lewd behaviour took part when a video call between the woman and several Rabbitohs players took place.

Another player then engaged in a private video conversation, in which screenshots of the call were taken, however the investigation found that it was consensual.

"Based on a thorough review of the available evidence before it, the panel was not satisfied that any South Sydney player engaged in any actionable misconduct resulting in a breach of their NRL playing contract, the NRL rules or the SSFC code of conduct," the club stated.

"The Rabbitohs have no further comment to make at this time."

Burgess, the only player mentioned in the reports, gave an emotional press conference during the week in which he said he was happy for the full truth to come out.

The results of the panel's investigation mean no player will face further sanctions and all Rabbitohs players are available to face the Roosters in Saturday night's preliminary final at ANZ Stadium.

The RLPA released a statement on Friday afternoon supporting South Sydney's finding.

"We also commend the club on the thorough review that it undertook and the expert panel that oversaw the process.

"We were disappointed by the decision to publish certain images in this case and some of the public commentary before all of the circumstances were known, particularly given the sensitive nature of the allegations.

"We also have concerns about the public disclosure of confidential information during the investigation – that is unacceptable.

"Regardless of the nature of the investigation, fair process demands that confidentiality is maintained, and that all parties and the process itself are respected.

"When information is leaked, or people jump to conclusions, it can be extremely damaging not only for the individuals involved, but the game of Rugby League as a whole."