Broncos fears claim party

Early yesterday, the managers of the inner-city Casablanca bar cancelled a private party booked for last night by the organisers of the Miss South Sudan beauty contest due to concerns for the safety of guests.

The bar's co-owner, Sarosh Mehta, said the decision to cancel the Miss South Sudan function at the 11th hour was tough but necessary given the events of the past week.

"As a businessman, I feel very sorry to do this to them, but we had to take every precaution possible. We had to put commercial gain to one side for one night. I'd never jeopardise [patrons'] safety for a few extra bucks. I'll be the first to pull the plug."

Casablanca is located on Caxton Street, just a stone's throw from Suncorp Stadium, where the Broncos lost to the Melbourne Storm 16-14 in their sudden-death semi-final.

Goaner Tutlam, 26, co-founder of the Miss South Sudan pageant understood the bar's decision.

"It's not OK, but it was understandable. There would have been lots of people turning up."

Mr Mehta helped the group secure an native venue at Brazilian Touch in Fortitude Valley.

In a bizarre twist, the venue is situated next door to Alhambra, where three Broncos players were at the centre of an alleged sexual assault after the team's win over the Sydney Roosters last weekend.

Continuing the Broncos' roller-coaster week, Broncos captain Darren Lockyer yesterday admitted to "tackling" Casablanca manager Terry de Gunten in an incident on September 6.

Despite staunch denials by the club last week, Lockyer admitted to the tackle after Mr de Gunten released more CCTV footage backing his claim.

"My intentions wouldn't . have been intimidating," Lockyer told an invitation-only press conference. "If I offended anyone, then I apologise."

Lockyer said he had no memory of tackling Mr de Gunten.

"To be perfectly honest, I don't recall doing it, so that's why this week I said I didn't believe it was me," he said. "But the footage now proves it was me."

After Casablanca released footage of the Lockyer incident last week, the bar reported receiving abusive phone calls and emails from angry fans, prompting it to beef up security ahead of last night's clash.

The bar also opted against using a one-off extended licence that would have allowed it to trade on the Caxton Street footpath.

"It was in the interests of safety and good management to give it up, even though we will lose money," Mr Mehta said.

Miss South Sudan Australia is an annual beauty pageant for Sudanese women aged 18-28.

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