Phoebe Burgess says she isn't surprised her ex-husband was cleared of domestic abuse and drug allegations as she called on the NRL to 'clean up' the game.
Allegations against retired NRL star Sam Burgess have been dropped by NSW Police after his ex-wife accused him of domestic violence and drug and alcohol abuse during their marriage.
The year-long investigation closed days after Phoebe gave an explosive interview in The Australian accusing the NRL of having a culture of misogyny.
She has since spoken out to stand by her claims, insisting she told the police the truth and that nothing about her life or story has changed.
Phoebe Burgess (pictured) says she isn't surprised NSW Police has closed its investigation into allegations about her ex-husband
She now looks forward to moving on and focusing to provide a 'safe, stable and respectful' home for her two young children.
'I am not surprised police feel unable to proceed to prosecution, and to be honest I feel some relief that my family’s trauma will now not be the subject of a criminal trial,' she told The Australian.
She now hopes speaking out will prompt the NRL to address continuous scandals about drugs, sex and violence against women as she implored the code to do more.
'I look forward to the day the NRL takes action to clean up this game, which has become the punchline of every terrible joke about sexism, violence and cover-ups,' Phoebe added.
'This is not the first episode, nor will it be the last, so I ask the NRL not to take a step back when it comes to reforming codes of conduct that allow situations like these to simply disappear.'
Phoebe Burgess (pictured with her ex-husband Sam in happier times) has called on the NRL to clean up the game and reform codes of conduct
Phoebe added she's been inundated with messages from thousands of women sharing their own stories of feeling afraid in their own homes.
As NSW Police announced on Wednesday the matter had been dropped, Phoebe spent the day going on scooter rides and cooking with her children, which she shared to Instagram.
Her former mother-in-law 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 concludes 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.
