Joe Westerman booed by fans and subbed after 30 minutes in first start since sex act video
19 February 2023, 18:49 | Updated: 20 February 2023, 00:11
Joe Westerman was booed by fans and subbed after 30 minutes in his first match since a video emerged online of the rugby league star performing a sex act on a woman in an alleyway.
Footage leaked on social media showed the Castleford Tigers player with a woman who was reportedly a friend's partner near a Greggs Pontefract last weekend.
The 33-year-old loose forward was caught with his penis out in the footage the passerby asks "can I have a go?"
His wife Lauren, also 33, kicked him out of their West Yorkshire home, while Westerman apologised and said he was working on his "decision-making around alcohol".
Despite the controversy, Mr Westerman was named in Castleford's starting line-up away at Hull FC in their opening 2023 Super League game on Sunday.
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As the teams were announced, Mr Westerman was booed in some quarters of the stadium, but was given a rousing cheer from his club's away fans.
He had few touches in a tough start for the Wakefield side, who were 16-0 down after just 16 minutes.
He was then jeered after being subbed off after 30 minutes.
He was reintroduced with 20 minutes to go and contributed to a late comback, but it wasn't enough as his side lost 32-30.
After the clip emerged, Mr Westerman apologised to his family, friends, and his club.
"I'd like to extend this apology to the game of rugby league, and I have realised that I need to work on my decision-making around alcohol," he said.
