Star Cronulla rugby league player Greg Bird has reportedly left Australia to join his girlfriend in the US.
The Sharks pivot, who'd been charged with recklessly wounding his American girlfriend Katie Milligan during an alleged glassing incident in August, has fled to join her, News Limited newspapers reported.
Sharks boss Tony Zappia told the newspaper, which quoted an unnamed source, that he'd heard Bird had left the country.
"I have heard the rumour but obviously Greg hasn't been involved in any club activities since he was stood down, so I can't confirm it," said Zappia.
"But I have heard the rumour."
Bird, who was stood down from playing shortly after the incident, was due to re-appear in court on November 20.
His trip to the US could cause more immediate problems however, because he is still under an Apprehended Violence Order, prohibiting him from going near Milligan.
While the AVO only applies in NSW, he can still be charged with breaching the order once he returns to the state if NSW Police can confirm the pair have met.
The news comes after reports of further incidents that have plagued the troubled player in recent weeks.
He reportedly abused Cronulla supporters who were walking past his unit last week and in a separate incident allegedly jumped into the back of a stranger's car, demanding she take him to a pizza shop.