Joe Williams backs Chris Sandow, but wants community to do better

A video of former NRL halfback Chris Sandow caught in an alleged street fight has polarised most that watch it, but Joe Williams says until the facts are clear, the public should hold their judgment.

Former NRL player Chris Sandow. Source: AAP

Footage of the incident shows the former Eels halfback taking part in an alleged street fight while a crowd watches on.

Voices yelling ‘keep on going’ can also be heard in the short clip.

In a Facebook post sent to NITV News, Chris Sandow says he was defending his brother, who was allegedly hit in the face with a fence paling the night before.

Source: NITV News

Former NRL player turned professional boxer Joe Williams doesn’t condone street violence, but admits tensions can boil over in community, especially when family is involved.

“We can’t sit back and judge people for what they do or the situations that they get into because we’re not there in that situation at that time,” Williams told NITV News.

“It’s in the past now and hopefully the families, Chris, and the community of Cherbourg itself can really move forward and look to unite,” he added.

33-year-old Williams is hopeful there’s a lesson to be learned from the incident.

“We don’t want to see violence in our communities with our brothers and sisters, but let’s see that they can unite now and hopefully be a little bit more productive when it comes to sorting things out in the future and not resorting to violence” he said.