Suns chairman to rule on Brown

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CAMPBELL Brown's football future rests in the hands of two men with the Gold Coast chairman John Witheriff and a fellow board member to decide if the Suns bad boy remains at the club.

Suns chairman Witheriff released a statement to fans on Sunday afternoon, updating them on the investigation into the Los Angeles fight that left young Suns player Steven May with a broken jaw.

Witheriff said the Suns board had met to discuss the matter, and while club officials were conducting interviews with those involved, the final decision on Brown - who remains suspended from the club while the investigation continues - would be left to the chairman and fellow board member Bob East.

"Highlighting the seriousness with which the club is treating the issue, the board agreed to delegate its authority to make a decision on the matter to two board members, myself, and Mr Bob East," Witheriff told fans on the club's website.

"Since the meeting of the board, Chief Executive, Travis Auld, and General Manager - Football Operations, Marcus Ashcroft, have been conducting a detailed investigation of the incident."

With the Suns initially setting a four-day period for their investigation, Witheriff said the club was in no rush and was "committed to a fair process".

READ WITHERIFF'S FULL STATEMENT BELOW

On Saturday footage emerged of the fight. The dark footage, which appears to have been shot on a mobile phone, shows the aftermath of Brown's punch that shattered May's jaw and resulted in him requiring two plates being inserted into his jaw.

May and Brown grapple with each other amid a hail of expletives, with May repeatedly telling Brown to "let go".

The 20-second confrontation ends when the two men are separated by teammate Jack Hutchins.

May, a key position player at the Suns, was punched by Brown in Los Angeles nightclub Bootsy Bellows on Monday night.

Campbell Brown and Steven May, seen here at training during the year. Source: News Limited

Brown has been banished from the club until the Suns' investigation has been completed.

BAD BOY BROWN'S LONG RAP SHEET

Brown and May were ordered home from LA immediately and arrived back on the Gold Coast on Wednesday.

The rest of the Suns arrived home on Thursday and were taken immediately to the club by bus where they were all grilled extensively over the incident.

BROWN'S HAD TOO MANY BRAIN SNAPS

They received no reports the attack was provoked although it appears May did have an altercation with Hawthorn premiership player Josh Gibson who was also at the venue.

Gibson had attempted to stop May from re-entering the nightclub to take a photo of pop princess Rihanna who was hosting a private party after her concert.

CEO Travis Auld said the investigation would probably take three or four days and would also include interviews with members of the coaching staff.

Did Rihanna's appearance at an LA nightclub spark a chain of events that led to Campbell Brown (left) breaking the jaw of teammate Steven May (right)? Source: Supplied

"Because it is an issue that has ramifications on our brand the board will be involved,'' Auld said.

Auld said he had heard reports that Brown may have retaliated to a deeply personal insult directed at him by May, but he had not heard anything to support them.

He said Brown had not complained of any insults.

The 30-year-old was not available for the first match of next season because of a suspension for kicking Demon James Strauss in the head.

Brown started 2013 with a six-match ban and there were doubts he would reach the 200-game milestone but he forced his way back into the side's best 22 and produced a solid season.

His expected absence may create the vacancy for code-hopper Karmichael Hunt who struggled with injury this year but spent time in the early part of the year playing in Brown's role as a defensive forward.

STATEMENT FROM GOLD COAST SUNS CHAIRMAN JOHN WITHERIFF:

"I am as disappointed as any of you to be providing you with this update in relation to the incident between Campbell Brown and Steven May that occurred in Los Angeles following the team's training camp in Arizona.

As passionate supporters of the Gold Coast SUNS, I believe it is important that the club keeps you updated with the status of our investigation and the process that the club is following to ensure we reach a fair and appropriate outcome for all involved.

The full board of the Gold Coast SUNS met on Thursday afternoon where the incident was discussed at length. Highlighting the seriousness with which the club is treating the issue, the board agreed to delegate its authority to make a decision on the matter to two board members, myself, and Mr Bob East.

Since the meeting of the board, Chief Executive, Travis Auld, and General Manager - Football Operations, Marcus Ashcroft, have been conducting a detailed investigation of the incident.

As you would expect, their brief has been to gather all the relevant facts, ensuring that any ruling the club makes will be made with accurate and substantiated information.

This is being done in a timely manner, but I must stress that the board is committed to a fair and appropriate outcome. The integrity of the investigation is my dominant concern.

Following the board meeting, the club notified Campbell Brown that he would be suspended from the club until the completion of the investigation. Campbell understands the suspension and is cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation.

Steven May underwent surgery on Saturday to repair a broken left jaw. He has had two plates inserted into his jaw, and we expect that he will be in a position to resume running in approximately 2 weeks.

As Chairman of the Gold Coast SUNS, I share the high expectations you have of our club.

The club will continue to keep our members and supporters updated and will provide you with further information at the appropriate time.

In the meantime, rest assured, we are committed to a fair process, that will reflect the values of our club - its members, players, staff and sponsors."

JOHN WITHERIFF

Chairman - Gold Coast SUNS

- with staff writers

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