The lawyer for former NRL star Hazem El Masri has used a brief court appearance to launch a scathing attack on his client's alleged domestic violence victim, describing her as "a compulsive liar" with a history of making "hysterical false accusations".

In an attack, which the magistrate suggested was delivered for the benefit of the watching media, lawyer Chris Murphy said the assault allegations against El Masri by his wife Douah El-Cherif were the result of a "prank call to police".

The former Bulldogs star was charged on Monday night with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and common assault in relation to an alleged incident at his home about 7.30pm. He pleaded not guilty to the charges on Thursday.

"She is a liar, she made it up," Mr Murphy said in Bankstown Local Court as his 39-year-old client looked on from the gallery of the packed courtroom.