CCTV footage of Las Vegas ‘throat grab’ incident between Warriors assistant coach Richard Agar and English journalist

Vision taken from CCTV footage, exclusively obtained by this masthead, has lifted the lid on an explosive altercation between Agar and an English journalist during the Warriors’ trip to launch the NRL season in Las Vegas.

The footage does not appear to indicate any sign of Agar grabbing the journalist’s throat.

The NRL issued Agar with a breach notice on Monday, determining that he engaged in conduct which brought the game into disrepute.

The NRL ruled that Agar had brought the game into disrepute amid allegations that he grabbed reporter John Davidson by the throat in the Allegiant Stadium press box during the halftime break of the Warriors’ loss to Canberra.

As well as a fine – half of which was suspended – and a three-match ban, Agar will be required to undertake appropriate education and training.

In the 83-second clip, Agar and the British journalist can be seen walking side-by-side along a corridor in the media suite.

Agar passes the press box from the coaching box to get a lift downstairs for the Warriors’ halftime address.

The rapport between the pair initially seems unremarkable, but the exchange takes a heated turn when Agar begins pointing at the scribe.

Davidson puts his hands out, as if to inquire whether there is a problem with the Warriors assistant.

The pair stop walking as tensions ignite and Agar starts to remonstrate with Davidson.

The Warriors assistant coach moves ahead slightly, then stops and motions back towards Davidson, appearing to push the journalist before continuing his walk while looking back at him.

The British journalist is knocked off balance slightly, taking a few steps back in a bid to stay on his feet.

As he continues walking ahead, Agar raises his right arm and points at Davidson, who is largely stationary as a media contingent arrive to witness the confrontation.

The integrity unit opened an investigation into allegations the halftime incident turned physical, following claims Agar had grabbed The Guardian reporter Davidson by the throat.

Warriors officials backed Agar, but having reviewed the CCTV footage, the NRL penalised the assistant coach, believing the incident was not a good look for the code.

“The suspension prohibits Agar from performing any duties as assistant coach of the Warriors on the days the matches are scheduled,” the NRL said.

“Agar is prohibited from travelling to any away match scheduled for the Warriors during the period of the suspension.”

Agar has five business days to respond to the breach notice.

Speaking to a New Zealand media outlet upon his return to Auckland a fortnight ago, Agar said there are two sides to every story and he will “talk when he is allowed to talk”.

At the time, Warriors CEO Cameron George defended Agar and said he trusted the coach’s version of events.

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“Richard and I have had an extensive discussion around the alleged incident,” George told Stuff.

“He’s given his version. And I think, in fairness to everyone we will let the CCTV footage show us exactly what happened.

“I certainly believe and trust Richard’s version. There’s a lot behind it as well. So we’ll just go through the process and come out the other end.”

Originally published as CCTV footage of Las Vegas ‘throat grab’ incident between Warriors assistant coach Richard Agar and English journalist