{
  "id": 403294,
  "title": "Bulldogs junior runs out despite brother benched over gang war concerns",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/bulldogs-junior-runs-out-despite-brother-benched-over-gang-war-403294",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-09T19:14:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-10/nrl-alameddine-gang-war-eels-bulldogs/107014320"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A young rugby league player from Sydney's Alameddine crime family is allowed to continue playing for his team, the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, despite his brother being benched by the Parramatta Eels due to gangland violence concerns. Zain Alameddine, a five-eighth for the Bulldogs, played in the Ron Massey Cup on Saturday, a third-tier competition in New South Wales, while his brother Mohamed was sidelined by the Eels over safety fears. The club has taken measures to protect Zain's safety, including providing security and liaising with police at his games. The NRL's Integrity Unit has been working with the Bulldogs and Parramatta on the matter, but there is no immediate threat to Zain's safety. Both brothers are not accused of any wrongdoing or involvement in organized crime, but their crime family operates from Sydney's western suburbs. Police believe recent shootings and arson attacks are linked to the family's feud with another Sydney gang. Decisions on which players to select for each team remain with the respective clubs.",
  "summary": "Escalating gangland tensions see a junior member of the Alameddines benched from playing rugby league, but his brother has been given the green light to play.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "ABC News",
        "title": "Bulldogs junior runs out despite brother benched over gang war concerns",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/bulldogs-junior-runs-out-despite-brother-benched-over-gang-war",
        "published": "2026-08-09T19:14:04.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}