Rugby League Pundit Danika Priim Charged with Sexual Assault and Steps Down as RFL Vice President

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Danika Priim, a well-known rugby league pundit, has been charged with sexual assault, prompting her to step down as Vice President of the Rugby Football League (RFL). The 40-year-old, who has featured on the BBC and Sky Sports as a pundit, is accused of sexually touching a woman at Horsforth Cricket Club in Leeds on 22 July 2022. Priim, who played for Bradford Bulls and Leeds Rhinos during her playing career, appeared before magistrates last Thursday and is due to appear before Leeds Crown Court on 13 March. No pleas were entered during the previous hearing, and the RFL has confirmed that Priim will voluntarily stand down from her role as Vice President while the legal proceedings take place.

Priim's playing career was marked by numerous achievements, including representing England at the 2017 World Cup. She retired from playing in 2021 and went on to become a successful pundit, working with the likes of Channel 4, BBC, and Sky Sports. Her appointment as RFL Vice President earlier this year was seen as a significant milestone in her career, but her tenure has been cut short due to the ongoing legal proceedings. The RFL has stated that it will make no further comment until the completion of the legal proceedings, and both the BBC and Sky Sports have declined to comment on the matter. Priim's reputation as a respected figure in the rugby league community has been called into question, and her future in the sport remains uncertain.

The incident allegedly took place at Horsforth Cricket Club, where Priim is accused of intentionally touching a woman aged 16 or over without her consent. The case has been sent to Leeds Crown Court, where Priim will appear on 13 March. The RFL's decision to allow Priim to step down from her role as Vice President has been seen as a necessary step, given the seriousness of the allegations. The organization's response to the situation has been cautious, with a spokesperson stating that no further comment will be made until the completion of the legal proceedings. As the case continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how it will impact Priim's career and the wider rugby league community.

In addition to her work as a pundit, Priim has also been an advocate for the women's game, championing more exposure and recognition for female players. Her passion for the sport has been evident throughout her career, and her contributions to the rugby league community have been significant. However, the allegations against her have raised questions about her position within the sport, and it remains to be seen how she will be able to continue her work in the future. The RFL's decision to allow Priim to step down from her role as Vice President has been seen as a necessary step, given the seriousness of the allegations, and the organization will likely be closely watching the outcome of the case.

The timeline of events surrounding the case is as follows: * 22 July 2022: The alleged incident takes place at Horsforth Cricket Club * Last Thursday: Priim appears before magistrates and is charged with sexual assault * 13 March: Priim is due to appear before Leeds Crown Court The RFL's policy on such matters is clear, and the organization has taken a firm stance in allowing Priim to step down from her role as Vice President. As the case continues to unfold, it is likely that there will be further developments, and the rugby league community will be watching closely to see how the situation is handled. The key stakeholders in the case, including the RFL, the BBC, and Sky Sports, will all be closely monitoring the outcome, and their responses will be crucial in determining the future of the sport.