THE credibility and motives of former Raiders player Steve Irwin have come under question after he accused the club of forcing him to lie to police to salvage the career of troubled teammate Todd Carney.

Police remain undecided about how to deal with Irwin's comments that Raiders officials told him to tell police Carney was not drunk after he had led them on a car chase through suburban streets in Irwin's car in May last year. The Raiders immediately threatened legal action after a Sydney newspaper published the claims yesterday.

"ACT Policing is assessing the claims purported to be made by Mr Irwin," said an ACT police spokesman, who would not confirm if officers had spoken to Irwin. "Police won't discuss the specific nature of its inquires."

Raiders general manager Don Furner said: "At the time of the incident and with police present, Irwin was advised by club officials to fully co-operate with police and tell the truth in regard to everything involved with the incident, including identification of the driver of the vehicle at the time."

Irwin's has gone to ground and his mobile phone was turned off yesterday but there were suggestions he had made his claims out of spite. The Raiders sacked him over the incident last year after following a lack of commitment to rehab following a knee reconstruction. He returned to Queensland club football but retired a month ago.

Carney remained at the club but had to undergo 200 hours of community service and placed on a good behaviour bond after the matter went to court. He signed a $1.6 million deal earlier this year.

Carney's manager, David Riolo, slammed Irwin's comments as a "publicity stunt" and accused his client's former teammate of "jealousy".

"Was he paid?" Riolo asked. "It surprises me that he's come out to make a ridiculous statement like this. It looks to me like a disgruntled player who couldn't make the grade trying to have a go at someone who did.