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Panthers star Nathan Cleary and his bad boy teammate Tyrone May gave free grand final tickets to their friends who arrived in Queensland illegally using fake Covid exemption passes.
According to the Sunday Telegraph, the NRL confirmed the news on Saturday after the Integrity Unit noted they would speak to Cleary over the alleged matter last week.
However both May and Cleary weren't punished as they assured the NRL they didn't know their friends had entered from NSW into Queensland illegally on October 2 - a day before the grand final.
Panthers star Nathan Cleary (right) and his bad boy teammate Tyrone May (left) provided free grand final tickets to their friends who arrived in Queensland illegally using fake Covid exemption passes
Cleary and May were reportedly interviewed for three hours before the Integrity Unit acknowledged that the players were unaware of their friends' actions.
Queensland police issued Cleary and May's three friends a fine of $4135 for arriving in the state through the M1 on the Gold Coast with incorrect border passes.
The trio - aged 23, 24 and 25 - attended Suncorp Stadium and were amongst family and friends of the Panthers players with tickets that were assigned by the NRL to the players to hand out.
After the siren rang at full time the friends were seen hugging Cleary and May.
The trio was also spotted celebrating the victory against the Rabbitohs with the Panther squad on social media.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted NRL for further comment.
