On Monday, Canterbury confirmed it was co-operating with the NRL Integrity Unit regarding an investigation into Elliott being asked to leave a restaurant on Sunday afternoon.

It has since been revealed management at the venue asked Elliott to leave after he was discovered in the men’s bathroom with Boyle.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports the pair were kissing in the bathroom because they did not want to be seen by wives and partners of other Bulldogs players at the restaurant.

Boyle, who plays for the Broncos, told The Daily Telegraph: “Look, all we did was have a kiss in the bathroom. It’s been taken way out of context. It’s a big kerfuffle about nothing.”

In a statement, the Bulldogs said: “The Bulldogs have been made aware of an incident involving Adam Elliott on the Gold Coast.

“The club are currently working with the NRL Integrity Unit regarding the matter.

“As a result the Bulldogs have stood Elliott down from the final two matches of the season until that process has been completed.”

Elliott has undergone alcohol counselling this year after an incident in the pre-season involving former teammate Michael Lichaa and Lichaa’s fiancee. Lichaa reportedly caught the back-rower kissing his partner Kara Childerhouse.

In 2018, Elliott was fined $25,000 when he and teammate Asipeli Fine were charged with wilful and obscene exposure during the Bulldogs’ Mad Monday celebrations.

After suffering a season-ending shoulder injury midway through 2020, Elliott has returned to the fray this year and retained his regular spot in the Bulldogs’ best 17. He has made 18 appearances this season and played his 100th NRL game against the Warriors in round 22.

Elliott will miss the Bulldogs’ upcoming clashes with the Sea Eagles and Tigers, but neither match will influence his side’s final ladder position.

Having won only two games for the season, the Bulldogs have been consigned to their first 16th-placed finish since 2008.