The NSWRL has today issued Code of Conduct breach notices to five players and officials and spectators face season bans following two separate incidents at junior football matches in Canberra and Penrith last weekend.
Following an investigation by the NSW Rugby League, the proposed penalties (upon conviction) include a 20-month suspension of an assistant coach, suspension until the end of the year for a female spectator and the suspension of three Harold Matthews players for varying weeks; while a group of spectators is being dealt with by NSW Police.
The strong action follows an incident involving players and spectators after a Harold Matthews Cup match between the Canberra Raiders and Manly Warringah Sea Eagles at Belconnen Oval, Canberra, on Saturday (5 February); and a second crowd incident at the completion of a Junior Representatives match at BlueBet Stadium, Penrith, on Saturday.
NSW Rugby League Chief Executive David Trodden said he was appalled by the behaviour of players and spectators and has instigated a review of all NSWRL grounds to ensure adequate security arrangements are in place.
“We have zero tolerance for behaviour that threatens the safety of participants, officials and spectators and incidents like these are contrary to the standards of any community sport,” Trodden said.
“We have a duty to eradicate this sort of behaviour from our game so that those who play and/or attend community sport can enjoy it and do so without any concerns or fears.
“Some of the recent crowd behaviour is criminal behaviour and if people behave that way, they should expect to be dealt with by the Police in accordance with the criminal law rather than by our Code of Conduct committee.
“In addition we will review all of our grounds to ensure that ground set-up minimises possible interaction between players and spectators, as well as ensuring that appropriate security arrangements are in place.”
Trodden said the Code of Conduct breaches issued today mean that, if convicted of the charges, those charged cannot act in an official role for any Rugby League activities until their suspension expires.
In addition, the spectator charged (Saulima) is also prohibited from attending any NSWRL games until the end of the suspension. The recipients of breach notices have until 5pm 15 February 2022 to respond to the notices. The charges and proposed suspensions are as follows:
- Jay Younis (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Harold Matthews Cup assistant coach) suspended for 20 months from 9 February 2022;
- (Ms) Lipe Saulima (spectator) suspended until 31 December 2022;
- varying sentences for three Harold Matthews Cup players (Under 17s) including: one player suspended to 31 May 2022 (which includes the full Junior Representatives season and Country v City representative opportunities); a second player suspended for four matches; and a third player receiving a two match suspended sentence.
In relation to the Penrith incident, the Penrith Panthers have provided relevant information to the NSW Police for investigation.
The alleged participants are not registered with NSWRL, but the Panthers have identified them and will advise the NSWRL tomorrow on details of how they propose to deal with the matter.
