I cant believe the club would consider this acceptable......I know its from Sporting News.
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RUGBY LEAGUE
Exiled veteran John Hopoate will stunningly return to the football field just months after receiving a 10-year ban from the game.
The 44-year-old will suit up for Manly's team in the Legends of League tournament at Central Coast Stadium on November 17, with the NRL and NSWRL holding no jurisdiction over the event.
Hopoate was slapped with a mammoth 10-year suspension after punching and verbally abusing an opponent in the Manly District Junior Rugby League competition.
The NSWRL classified the act to be ‘’very serious’’ in nature and the former Manly winger pleaded guilty to three counts of contrary conduct and one of striking.
He attempted to explain his behaviour was triggered by racial taunts from his victim, however his argument was not considered.
Already serving a suspension after pleading guilty to a medium range striking offence earlier in the season, Hopoate had the final five years of his sanction suspended, meaning he is eligible to return to the game on 21 July, 2023.
While he was on Tonga's coaching staff for the 2017 World Cup, Hopoate is not allowed to have an official role with the minnow nation, however he has been spotted in the team's colours in the build up to their Test against Australia.
There are rumours the disgraced rugby league bad boy will step into the ring with Paul Gallen after Sonny Bill Williams declined multiple offers to fight the veteran Cronulla Sharks prop.
The 44-year-old retired from the NRL with 45 weeks of suspensions to his name – the most of any player in the NRL era – and boasted the second longest suspension in the game’s history with 17 weeks after knocking Cronulla forward Keith Galloway out senseless in 2005.
He made 209 first grade appearances with three clubs, Manly, Northern Eagles and Wests Tigers – while representing NSW, Australia and Tonga across a controversial career.
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RUGBY LEAGUE
- 19/10/18
Exiled veteran John Hopoate will stunningly return to the football field just months after receiving a 10-year ban from the game.
The 44-year-old will suit up for Manly's team in the Legends of League tournament at Central Coast Stadium on November 17, with the NRL and NSWRL holding no jurisdiction over the event.
Hopoate was slapped with a mammoth 10-year suspension after punching and verbally abusing an opponent in the Manly District Junior Rugby League competition.
The NSWRL classified the act to be ‘’very serious’’ in nature and the former Manly winger pleaded guilty to three counts of contrary conduct and one of striking.
He attempted to explain his behaviour was triggered by racial taunts from his victim, however his argument was not considered.
Already serving a suspension after pleading guilty to a medium range striking offence earlier in the season, Hopoate had the final five years of his sanction suspended, meaning he is eligible to return to the game on 21 July, 2023.
While he was on Tonga's coaching staff for the 2017 World Cup, Hopoate is not allowed to have an official role with the minnow nation, however he has been spotted in the team's colours in the build up to their Test against Australia.
There are rumours the disgraced rugby league bad boy will step into the ring with Paul Gallen after Sonny Bill Williams declined multiple offers to fight the veteran Cronulla Sharks prop.
The 44-year-old retired from the NRL with 45 weeks of suspensions to his name – the most of any player in the NRL era – and boasted the second longest suspension in the game’s history with 17 weeks after knocking Cronulla forward Keith Galloway out senseless in 2005.
He made 209 first grade appearances with three clubs, Manly, Northern Eagles and Wests Tigers – while representing NSW, Australia and Tonga across a controversial career.
