Celebrities have thrown their support behind Sam Burgess after police cleared him of domestic abuse and drug allegations.
The retired NRL star's ex-wife Phoebe had accused him of domestic violence and drug and alcohol abuse during their marriage, sparking a year-long investigation.
After NSW Police announced on Wednesday the matter had been dropped, Sam's mother Julie Burgess took to Instagram to share a photo of a statement issued by her son's lawyer Chris Murphy.
Famous faces, including Braith Anasta and John Sutton, soon flocked to give their support to the footy star.
'NSW Police Operation Legal Advice Unit just 'recommended no criminal prosecution(s) be preferred against Sam Burgess in relation to these allegations. That now includes the investigation,' Mr Murphy wrote on Twitter.
'Much hurt and harm has been done to Sam Burgess. He has been damaged. He wants the public to be made aware that allegations have been thoroughly examined at length by NSW Police and there is nothing for him to be called to answer.'
Police have cleared Sam Burgess of any wrongdoing after a year-long investigation sparked by allegations of domestic abuse made by his ex-wife Phoebe
Phoebe had accused the retired NRL star of domestic violence and drug and alcohol abuse during their marriage. The allegations were published in The Australian newspaper in October last year and denied vehemently by Burgess at the time. Sam and Phoebe are pictured in 2016
Famous footballers including John Sutton and Braith Anasta threw their support behind Sam Burgess after his mother Julie announced on Wednesday (pictured, her social media post) that the police investigation had been dropped
Famous footballers quickly wrote in the comment's section of Mrs Burgess's post to rally behind the former South Sydney player and welcome his good news.
'It was only a matter of time,' retired rugby league legend Anasta wrote, alongside a heart emoji.
Minutes later, former Rabbitohs captain Sutton responded to the announcement with several raised hand emojis - which symbolise celebration and joy.
Ex-Cronulla Sharks winger Bryson Goodwin also rushed to offer his support, posting a number of the same hand icons.
Phoebe's allegations were published in The Australian newspaper in October last year and denied vehemently by Burgess at the time.
Having spent more than 12 months looking at the claims New South Wales Police confirmed the investigation was over in a 12-word statement.
'Following extensive inquiries, no further police action is expected to be taken,' a spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia on Wednesday.
Famous footballers including Braith Anasta (pictured left with his wife Rachael Lee) and John Sutton have rallied behind Burgess after he was cleared of domestic violence allegations
The original reports in The Australian followed 'a four-month investigation' and included statements from Phoebe and her father Mitchell Hooke.
The newspaper said the reports relied upon 'pharmaceutical records, sworn statements to NSW Police, statutory declarations and witness accounts'.
They also drew on 'call logs, emails, text messages, bank records, WhatsApp exchanges and Uber receipts.'
The allegations cost Burgess his coaching job with South Sydney and commentary work with Fox Sports.
Defamation lawyer Mark O'Brien, acting for Burgess, said after the stories were published: 'The allegations are false and constitute an indefensible defamation against my client.'
'It is apparent sources of the false allegations are those currently in dispute with my client over various issues.'
Daily Mail Australia understands Burgess is not contemplating defamation action.
Burgess was cleared in March of having intimidated his father-in-law Mitchell Hooke during a confrontation at the Hooke family's Southern Highlands home in October 2019. Phoebe is pictured with her father and Burgess
Burgess's solicitor Bryan Wrench accused Phoebe and her father of setting out to destroy his client's reputation, which they denied. Burgess is pictured with Mr Wrench and mother Julie Burgess while defending a charge of intimidating Phoebe's father Mitchell Hooke
Phoebe had made a 50-page statement containing claims about her former husband's lifestyle and accusations about his conduct towards her during their troubled relationship.
Much of that material was published in The Australian and NSW Police subsequently launched its own investigation, issuing a brief statement at the time.
'On Wednesday 30 September 2020, officers from The Hume Police District received a
