FORMER Bulldogs champion Hazem El Masri’s wife is “a compulsive liar” who concocted allegations of domestic violence in a “prank call to police”, his lawyer told a court yesterday.

El Masri, 39, pleaded not guilty to charges of common assault and assault occasioning actual bodily harm in Bankstown Local Court yesterday.

His lawyer Chris Murphy said the former NRL star would defend the accusations that he assaulted 25-year-old Douah El-Cherif inside their Bankstown home on Monday night, saying the complainant has in the past made “hysterical false accusations”.

Mr Murphy told the court that in a recording on El Masri’s phone “the alleged victim says her call to police was a prank call ... she (then) has to go to police or she will get fined”.

The lawyer said there was “a mark on her face from hitting the bed”, prompting Magistrate Daniel Reiss to remind him the matter was only in court for mention and not for Ms El-Cherif “to be attacked”.

Mr Reiss said he didn’t want what should be a brief court appearance “to turn into a circus”.

“The No. 1 rule in my court is not to talk at the same time as me,” the magistrate told Mr Murphy as the lawyer appeared about to speak again.

“It doesn’t matter if you’ve got 40 years of experience (in law) or four.”

Court papers allege the incident for which El Masri is charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm occurred about 7.30pm, with a second incident at about 9.30pm giving rise to a charge of common assault. El Masri was charged just after 4am the following day and granted conditional bail, which was yesterday dispensed with in court.

News_Image_File: El Masri front the media outside Bankstown Court where he pleaded not guilty to domestic violence charges. Picture: John GraingerNews_Image_File: Hazem El Masri with lawyer Chris Murphy (right) leave court after alleging that the Bulldogs great’s wife was a ‘compulsive liar’. Picture: John Grainger

The documents state police have a signed statement from Ms El-Cherif and photographs of her alleged injury.

The matter was adjourned for hearing until February 1, when Mr Murphy said he would call up to 20 witnesses to attest to El Masri’s character.

“There will be medical factors regarding the psychiatric condition of the alleged victim,” he said.

El Masri agreed, without making any admissions of wrongdoing, to abide by an interim AVO banning him from approaching his wife before the hearing. The court heard “representations” will be made by El Masri’s lawyers to police before the hearing.

News_Image_File: Hazem El Masri arrives at Bankstown Court. Picture: John GraingerNews_Image_File: The court heard at least 20 witnesses could be called in support of El Masri. Picture: John Grainger

El Masri did not comment as he left court, with Mr Murphy telling reporters “it is quite unfortunate that it hangs over Hazem for a period of months but those who know him and believe in him will stick with us.”

Ms El-Cherif did not attend court.

One woman supporting El Masri is his ex-wife Arwa Abousamra, the mother of his three children, who has released a statement in support of the man she was married to for 13 years before their separation in 2014.

News_Image_File: NRL player Hazem El Masri was an ambassador for White Ribbon.

“Hazem never as much raised his voice at me, even in an argument,” she said in a public Facebook post.

“To believe he would ever strike a woman is incomprehensible. Hazem’s respect for women is beyond reproach, as is his character.”

News_Image_File: Hazem El Masri and his first wife Arwa Abousamra, who has defended her ex-husband. Picture: Supplied

News_Image_File: El Masri farewells the crowd after his last game for the Bulldogs.