PNG rugby player Keven Appo flew home after being charged with rape in England, court hears

The Papua New Guinean government says it will help to extradite a rugby league player accused of raping and assaulting a woman in the United Kingdom.

Keven Appo, 25, has been charged with rape, sexual assault of a female and two counts of assault in the English city of Bradford, where he played for rugby league team the Bradford Bulls.

The Bradford Magistrates Court this week heard Mr Appo fled the country almost five hours after he was granted conditional bail in November, according to the BBC.

Papua New Guinea's immigration department confirmed he arrived in Port Moresby on November 28 on a flight from Brisbane.

PNG Foreign Affairs Minister Justin Tkatchenko said PNG would not allow citizens to use the country as a haven to escape the course of justice.

"Our government will not tolerate such behaviour," he told the ABC.

"Everybody must follow the laws of the country that they are living in, or that they're working in or that they're visiting."

The BBC has reported an extradition process is underway. However, Mr Tkatchenko said PNG had not received a formal request.

He said PNG authorities would cooperate fully to repatriate Mr Appo to Britain, should the request be made.

"This puts embarrassment on our country as well, that this fellow Papua New Guinean is trying to deviate from the rules of law," he said.

"It is an unfortunate incident that has tarnished the good work that we have done and the sporting relationships that have been forged, especially with the UK."

The BBC reported that Mr Appo was sacked from the Bradford Bulls last week, where he played as a forward since 2023.

Several Papua New Guineans play in the British Super League competition and in smaller clubs across Britain.

Rugby league is the national sport of Papua New Guinea. (Getty Images: Bradley Kanaris )

Appo blocked from playing in PNG

Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) chairman Sandis Tsaka said Mr Appo would be stood down from any participation or representation of rugby league in PNG.

"The PNGRFL has a zero-tolerance for violence against women or any form of criminal misconduct," he said.

"Investigations of this nature are never a good look for any sport."

The charges come as Papua New Guinea prepares to join Australia's national rugby league (NRL) competition by 2028 with $600 million support from the Australian government.

PNG team to enter NRL under long-awaited deal with Australia Photo shows A man celebrates scoring a try in a rugby league match Australia and Papua New Guinea have unveiled a long-awaited deal handing PNG its own NRL team, confirming the league's most ambitious expansion since formation.

PNGRFL chief Stanly Hondina said PNG's international players were ambassadors for their country and should be held to the highest standards.

"The onus is on people in our sport who are given opportunities overseas to uphold the utmost respect for each other and the laws of these countries," Mr Hondina said.

"The inaction and actions of one player does not represent those of the many that are in our game and overseas."

He said the PNGRFL was cooperating with British and local authorities to deal with the matter.

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