Parramatta fullback Isaiah Iongi has been issued with a breach notice by the NRL for ‘bringing the game into disrepute’ after photos showed him smoking an unknown substance.
Images of the young Eels star surfaced in February, prompting the club to notify the NRL Integrity Unit.
One of the photos seemed to show the 22-year-old adding an unknown substance from a herb grinder to a roll-your-own cigarette while sitting at a table.
Other images show Iongi in a bathtub holding a lighter underneath the cigarette, then appearing to smoke it in a dark room.
It is not known who took the images, or when or where they were taken.
The photos were published on social media without the star’s consent, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
Parramatta fullback Isaiah Iongi has been issued with a breach notice by the NRL after photos showed him smoking an unknown substance
It is not known who took the images of Iongi, or when or where they were taken
The images are believed to be from several years ago, and Iongi is expected to be named in Parramatta’s side to play Penrith on Saturday.
The game’s governing body issued a statement on Monday afternoon which read: ‘The NRL today issued Parramatta Eels player Isaiah Iongi with a breach notice alleging a breach of the NRL code of conduct following an NRL Integrity Unit investigation.’
‘The particulars of the breach notice, determined by the independent decision maker (IDM), are that Iongi featured in imagery, which emerged publicly on 22 February 2026, which has brought the game into disrepute,’ the statement continued.
Iongi, one of the NRL’s rising stars, has five business days to respond to the breach notice.
In 2025 he was nominated for the Dally M Rookie of the Year award and played for Tonga in the Pacific Championships.
He signed a long-term contract extension with the Eels to keep him at the club until the end of the 2030 season.
Parramatta issued its own statement in response to the breach notice.
‘We will work with Isaiah to review the notice and respond accordingly as per the process,’ the statement said.
The 22-year-old was pictured smoking the substance in a dark room
Despite the controversy, Iongi is expected to be named in Parramatta’s side for round four
‘We will not be making any further comment until the matter is concluded.’
It is believed that Iongi will receive a suspended one-game suspension.
He performed so well last season that he was named the Eels’ Rookie of the Year, and was also named the club’s fan favourite after he took out the Blue & Gold Army Player of the Year award.
‘This past year has been surreal,’ he said at the time.
‘I came to Parramatta for an opportunity and now it has become home.
‘The incredible support from our fans has made my journey even more special.
‘We’ve grown so much as a team over the past year, and I can’t wait to keep building our future together at this club.’
Parramatta coach Jason Ryles will name his side to face Penrith on Tuesday.
