World Cup player sidelined by gang war gets second chance

The Lebanese rugby league team has broken ranks with an NRL club that refused to pick a player who had been sidelined over safety concerns due to his familial ties to the Alameddine crime family. 

Mohamed Alameddine was sidelined by the Parramatta Eels this year after an alleged attempt on his father's life in broad daylight by the self-proclaimed "Coconut Cartel" crime gang.

The incident was one of several targeting his family members this year, including another failed assassination attempt at a junior rugby league game where a relative was playing.

Alameddine has no association with the crime family barring his last name, and police have previously said his relatives are being targeted purely because of their familial link to organised crime figures.

The talented winger, who is contracted to Parramatta until the end of 2027, was stood down from training with the Eels or playing in the side's reserve grade team in the New South Wales Cup.

One family, two rules

Despite this stance from Parramatta, the ABC previously revealed Mohamed Alameddine's younger brother Zain had been allowed to develop with a lower grade team at the Canterbury Bankstown-Bulldogs.

Lebanon made the decision at this World Cup to pick Alameddine, however he has not played any matches so far.

Tonight is the last chance he has to be picked and he was listed among the reserves, unlikely to feature in the Cedars' campaign.

Gold Coast Titans winger Tony Francis was also selected in the Lebanon squad and said it had been a tough situation for a player whose future was in part out of his control.

"He's a very good player and it's unfortunate he can't get out there, but hopefully it all settles down and he's back on the field again," he said.

"He's a cracker bloke honestly."

Lebanon halfback Alex Conti told the ABC he was glad to call Mohamed Alameddine a teammate.

"He's having a great time, we've become mates and he's just a great kid"

he said.

"He's been training well."

Decision's far-reaching consequences

The decision by Parramatta has meant Alameddine's pursuit of a professional rugby league career has effectively been in a holding pattern, despite no issues with his conduct or performance.

The ABC understands at this stage Parramatta has not offered Alameddine a contract beyond next year, nor has the club made a public decision about whether he would return to training in January.

There is a scenario where Alameddine could join another club as soon as next season, which would require the activation of a release mechanism in his contract.

However to do this, he would need to be paid for the 2027 season in full, either by Parramatta or another club.

Such a scenario could mean Alameddine's salary would count against the Eels' salary cap, despite him not playing at the club.

Due to the ease of public access to Parramatta's facilities and the regular training routine of an NRL club, concerns remain for the safety of Alameddine, his teammates and club staff.

The club has continued to have regular contact with police as well as with Alameddine's family to support the young player who remains a popular figure among teammates.