Sacked NRL star Paul Vaughan has deleted his grovelling Instagram apology 'by mistake' over the illegal house party during Covid-19 lockdown that left his career in tatters.
The former NSW Origin prop, 30, had his $800,000 a year contract with St George Illawarra ripped up after he hosted 12 Dragons teammates at his Shellharbour home south of Sydney on July 3.
It was Vaughan's second coronavirus biosecurity protocol breach within 10 months.
A remorseful Vaughan posted a grovelling Instagram apology for his 'stupid, unexplainable and irresponsible' actions shortly after the Dragons showed him the door.
The lengthy apology post was later mysteriously deleted before Vaughan's Instagram account vanished altogether.
His management company insists Vaughan's apology was deleted 'by mistake' and maintains the disgraced NRL star deeply regrets his actions.
NRL star Paul Vaughan (pictured with wife Elle) deeply regrets hosting the illegal house party that ended his time at St George Illawarra
'He's actually closed his account altogether now,' player agent Darryl Mather told The Sunday Telegraph.
'He took the apology down by mistake. I can assure you absolutely that he is still remorseful. He's broken and terribly upset.
'You can't sugar coat it. In the perilous situation the city is in right now, there is no justification for any of these actions. He's genuinely feeling low.'
Vaughan's wife Elle has also taken down her Instagram account.
Vaughan broke his silence over the saga shortly after he was sacked on Tuesday following a crisis club board meeting.
'The events that took place on the weekend were thoughtless and disrespectful to not only the game that I love, but to all of the sponsors, members and fans as well as the broader community,' Vaughan posted on Instagram.
'The reality is, I should have known better and I am truly sorry. I have let a lot of people down through my actions, and I hope that this sincere apology shows how deeply sorry I am and that I realise the enormity and stupidity of what I have done.
'To say that I have learnt a lesson from this is an
