Dean Ritchie, The Daily Telegraph
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July 8, 2020 6:59pm
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Fonua-Blake denies 2nd spray |
NRL: Addin Fonua-Blake has denied giving a second spray to the faces of the referees, but admits they could have overheard him venting in the sheds.
Addin Fonua-Blake will be asked to
explain his ugly behaviour during a private meeting with an angry NRL interim CEO Andrew Abdo — before the Manly star will be ordered to do educational work with people with disabilities.
Prompted by Manly chief executive Stephen Humphreys, Fonua-Blake and Abdo will speak via a Zoom conference call
on Thursday afternoon.
The meeting will take place after Abdo
on Wednesday morning issued Fonua-Blake with a notice under the NRL’s anti-vilification code. Humphreys will also represent Manly on the Zoom call.
It is understood Fonua-Blake will volunteer to complete community service and education work with a disability group as punishment, although that would be difficult to accomplish under the NRL’s current biosecurity protocols.
Fonua-Blake will be called on by Abdo to explain why he chose such discriminatory and offensive words against Atkins.
The giant Sea Eagles front-rower will also be asked how he intends to rectify the damage he has caused himself, his club and the game.
In a club statement and separate video clip,
Fonua-Blake apologised for his comments but Abdo will seek to determine how sincere the player really is. Humphreys will also express his club’s views.
After Sunday’s game against Newcastle, when Manly were denied a late penalty which could have levelled the scores, Fonua-Blake called referee Grant Atkins a “f…ing retard.”
And in a second moment of drama inside the Brookvale Oval dressing room area, Fonua-Blake labelled Atkins a “spastic”.
Fonua-Blake claimed he didn’t direct the second sledge at Atkins but was “venting” from inside Manly’s dressing room.
Either way, the language has angered Abdo and ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys.
Humphreys felt a personal meeting could be beneficial to Fonua-Blake. It is understood the NRL may impose further punishment on Fonua-Blake after the meeting.
The Daily Telegraph understands Fonua-Blake could face an additional suspension but a monetary fine — along with community work — is more likely. Neither Humphreys or the NRL would comment
on Wednesday afternoon.
In a statement released
on Tuesday night, Abdo said: “This is more than a simple sanction. It’s important there is an education and rehabilitation component to issues like this to ensure players learn from these mistakes and realise the impact of their actions on the community.”
The NRL match-review committee issued Fonua-Blake with a grade three contrary contact charge, the Tonga Test forward pleading guilty and accepting a two-game ban. Grade three is the highest contrary conduct charge that can be laid.
It is understood the match review committee was fully aware of the two ugly incidents with Atkins when it charged Fonua-Blake.
On Tuesday afternoon, V’landys said: “As role models, players have to understand there are ramifications to their words and that’s non-negotiable with me. Being a role model comes with obligations and they are obligations we take very seriously.
“You’ve got kids are who handicapped or disadvantaged and these role models are basically promoting them being called names. That doesn’t wash well with me at all.
“Everyone says things in the heat of the moment and things we don’t actually mean but my concern, for him to continue on, is a serious concern.”
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