Three men hospitalised after ‘brutal’ stabbing at rugby league match in Western Sydney

A 19-year-old man has been arrested after an alleged stabbing involving several people on opposing teams of a rugby league match in the Sydney suburb of North Parramatta this morning.

Among the injured is a teenage Wentworthville Magpies player who was reportedly stabbed in the neck by a rival player following the under-20s rugby league match against Penrith Brothers at the Old Saleyards Reserve.

Sydney newspaper The Daily Telegraph has reported that “two men are fighting for life” after the post match incident in a carpark after the game.

Commenting on the incident, NSW Police acting Inspector, Grant Morrissey advised “it's alleged that two western Sydney-based (rugby league) teams were involved in a fight after the match concluded.

"As a result of this altercation, one male who played for one of the teams was stabbed by another male who also played for the opposing team."

"Two spectators also became involved in the altercation and they were stabbed as well."

Acting Inspector Morrissey said that it was believed that, while investigations were ongoing, the alleged weapon used was a kitchen knife, adding “it's believed to be a six-inch kitchen knife, six-inch blade.”

A boy and two men, aged 16, 19 and 22, were found with injuries outside the ground and were taken to Westmead Hospital, with NSW Police saying two remained in a serious but stable condition at the hospital.

It was also reported that several men fled the scene as emergency services arrived.

NSW Police later arrested a 19-year-old Cambridge Park man just before 2pm.

He was taken to Nepean Hospital under police guard to receive medical attention for a hand injury and is expected to be charged.

Commenting in the aftermath of the incident, NSW Rugby League Chief Executive David Trodden said anybody involved with the incident could expect "never to have a role in our game ever again".

He told the ABC “the incident is sickening criminal behaviour and those responsible for it deserve to face the full force of the law.

"Everyone who enjoys community sport at the weekend should expect to be able to do it in a safe environment and it is nothing short of appalling that an incident like this has taken place in an area adjacent to where one of our matches was being conducted."

Trodden said both teams have been stood down immediately pending the outcome of the NSW Police investigation.

NSW Police have appealed for witnesses who may have mobile phone footage to come forward to assist the investigation.

Images: Old Saleyards Reserve (top, Google Maps and below Simon Alexander/Facebook).