Burgess weighing up legal options after being cleared in Rabbitohs investigation

Sam Burgess is considering legal action after he was cleared of any misconduct in an investigation carried out by South Sydney Rabbitohs.

The Rabbitohs appointed a panel to look into emails from an "anonymous complainant" that alleged "inappropriate conduct by a South Sydney player on a Facebook Messenger video call".

Burgess vehemently denied any wrongdoing and the panel has concluded neither the England international nor any of his team-mates were guilty of misconduct.

"Based on a thorough review of the available evidence before it, the panel was not satisfied that any South Sydney player engaged in any actionable misconduct resulting in a breach of their NRL playing contract, the NRL rules or the SSFC code of conduct," read a Rabbitohs statement.

Earlier this week, Burgess addressed media reports that suggested a social media account of his had been used to send lewd videos, stating: "I'm happy for them [the panel] to get to the truth, I really am."

On Friday, he wrote on Twitter: "I have not sexted anyone. I fully cooperated with the inquiry as I said I would. I have engaged lawyer Chris Murphy to pursue my remedies and he has retained defamation lawyers.

"I have given a full account to the inquiry and answered every questioned asked. It’s now in Mr Murphy's hands. The next move is up to him. I have nothing more to say at this stage."

A statement from the Rugby League Players' Association (RLPA) supported the verdict of the panel and criticised the "public disclosure of confidential information during the investigation", adding: "When information is leaked, or people jump to conclusions, it can be extremely damaging not only for the individuals involved, but the game of rugby league as a whole."