Grant Atkins abused by AFB

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Manly Sea Eagles have released exclusive pictures that call into question the official referee’s report of a second verbal attack from star prop Addin Fonua-Blake. SEE THE PICTURES HERE

Dean Ritchie, The Daily Telegraph

Subscriber only

|

July 7, 2020 9:16pm

Close

These are the exclusive pictures which clear Manly’s under-fire prop Addin Fonua-Blake of engaging in a confrontation with referee Grant Atkins after Sunday’s game at Brookvale Oval.

The official referee’s report alleged Fonua-Blake and Atkins clashed in the Lottoland tunnel with the Manly prop saying: “Are your eyes f…ing painted on you bunch of spastics”.

Manly however claim a different version of events unfolded with Fonua-Blake walking directly into the Sea Eagles’ dressing room and Atkins entering the nearby referee’s room later.

The Sea Eagles say Fonua-Blake yelled and vented from inside the dressing room: “Are their eyes f…ing painted on those bunch of spastics.”

While the words are similar and still unsavoury, Manly claim there wasn’t any personal confrontation between Fonua-Blake and Atkins in the tunnel.

And the club has the Brookvale Oval video evidence to prove it. The footage shows Fonua-Blake was about five metres in front of Atkins walking into the sheds.

“Addin takes full responsibility for his actions but it is important to correct the record in terms of what happened in the tunnel and dressing room areas,” said Manly chief executive, Stephen Humphreys.

“There was no aggressive confrontation at all. Addin was venting as he was entering the dressing room and he then moved inside the dressing room.




“At no stage did he direct his comment at match officials.”

In a video interview on Manly’s website, Fonua-Blake said: “I remember walking back into the sheds and I was speaking loudly. I wasn’t aware the refs were in the tunnel and they must have heard me say what I said in the sheds.

“I didn’t say it directly to their faces. It was just me venting out loud n the sheds and they must have heard it.

“I shouldn’t have said what I said but emotions got the better of me. If I could take it back, I would.”

Fonua-Blake’s partner, Ana, said he was “pretty stupid” for what he said

“Growing up I used the word (retard) differently, not knowing what it actually meant. Now that I know what it means and I’m very apologetic. I did not mean any harm and I didn’t mean it in a derogatory type of way to offend

anyone,” he said.

Confronted by an ugly public backlash, a furious NRL will impose beefed-up penalties for any players who abuse referees or vilify people with disabilities or who are autistic.



View attachment 14762
Fonua-Blake enters the Lottoland tunnel with the match officials roughly five metres behind him.
View attachment 14761
... before turning into the Manly shed.
View attachment 14763View attachment 14761View attachment 14762View attachment 14763
The match officials walk past without confrontation.


NRL interim CEO Andrew Abdo has asked his integrity unit to explore whether Fonua-Blake should be hit with a second charge – and a possible further suspension – for his comments about Atkins.

After being told of a second offensive outburst by Fonua-Blake, ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys revealed plans for increased punishment for players.

The “spastic” comment came just moments after Fonua-Blake was sent off after fulltime for calling Atkins a “f…ing retard.”

Manly’s 118kg prop pleaded guilty to a grade three contrary conduct charge for his on-field behaviour and accepted a two-game suspension.

Yet when made aware of Fonua-Blake’s second tirade at Atkins, the NRL immediately began discussing whether the Sea Eagles giant should be charged and punished again.

The integrity unit couldn’t reach a final decision on Tuesday afternoon and will further discuss the drama on Wednesday.



Fonua-Blake was irate that Manly – behind 14-12 - was denied a late penalty which could have levelled the scores against Newcastle last Sunday.

V’landys confirmed a possible second charge against Fonua-Blake was “being reviewed.”

“The rules will definitely change. There will certainly be changes made moving forward from this incident because there is some learning from it. It will be definitely be looked it,” he said.

“There will be harsher penalties for swearing at referee and players who take a particular group in the community and make fun of them. We don’t want people in the community to feel uncomfortable because some players slag down on them.

“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 thing we don’t actually mean but my concern, for him to continue on, is a serious concern.”

Abdo said Fonua-Blake has breached the game’s Anti-Vilification Code.

“What happened on Sunday was divisive and against the fabric of what we stand for as a game,” he said. “There is no place for comments like that in our game. Sport is about bringing people and communities together and we pride ourselves on being an inclusive game for everyone.

“Now that the match review process is complete, I want to speak directly with Addin and the club about the incidents before determining any penalty.”

Privately Manly claim they didn’t have the required staff - due to the COVID-19 NRL bubble – to ensure Fonua-Blake was escorted from the field and safely into the dressing.

Despite being told by NRL head of football Graham Annesley that his decision on Sunday was wrong, video referee Jared Maxwell has not only retained in first grade but been appointed to adjudicate three games this round.
Absolute farce. The only organisation in the world where there is zero accountability is the NRL with its untouchable troupe of yellow muppets.
 
Thankyou Netflix. The PC outrage brigade is killing me atm. (Hadley, Kent, Ikin etc)then along comes Jim Jefferies latest comedy show to level the fkn playing field (dam right that’s a pun)
So without further ado, f*ck the millennials, and kick back and just have a fkn larf for christ sake.

(Mods. I know it belongs on the general thread, but thought the timing was just perfect. )


Check out “Jim Jefferies: Intolerant” on Netflix
 
Last edited:
Manly Sea Eagles have released exclusive pictures that call into question the official referee’s report of a second verbal attack from star prop Addin Fonua-Blake. SEE THE PICTURES HERE

Dean Ritchie, The Daily Telegraph

Subscriber only

|

July 7, 2020 9:16pm

Close

These are the exclusive pictures which clear Manly’s under-fire prop Addin Fonua-Blake of engaging in a confrontation with referee Grant Atkins after Sunday’s game at Brookvale Oval.

The official referee’s report alleged Fonua-Blake and Atkins clashed in the Lottoland tunnel with the Manly prop saying: “Are your eyes f…ing painted on you bunch of spastics”.

Manly however claim a different version of events unfolded with Fonua-Blake walking directly into the Sea Eagles’ dressing room and Atkins entering the nearby referee’s room later.

The Sea Eagles say Fonua-Blake yelled and vented from inside the dressing room: “Are their eyes f…ing painted on those bunch of spastics.”

While the words are similar and still unsavoury, Manly claim there wasn’t any personal confrontation between Fonua-Blake and Atkins in the tunnel.

And the club has the Brookvale Oval video evidence to prove it. The footage shows Fonua-Blake was about five metres in front of Atkins walking into the sheds.

“Addin takes full responsibility for his actions but it is important to correct the record in terms of what happened in the tunnel and dressing room areas,” said Manly chief executive, Stephen Humphreys.

“There was no aggressive confrontation at all. Addin was venting as he was entering the dressing room and he then moved inside the dressing room.




“At no stage did he direct his comment at match officials.”

In a video interview on Manly’s website, Fonua-Blake said: “I remember walking back into the sheds and I was speaking loudly. I wasn’t aware the refs were in the tunnel and they must have heard me say what I said in the sheds.

“I didn’t say it directly to their faces. It was just me venting out loud n the sheds and they must have heard it.

“I shouldn’t have said what I said but emotions got the better of me. If I could take it back, I would.”

Fonua-Blake’s partner, Ana, said he was “pretty stupid” for what he said

“Growing up I used the word (retard) differently, not knowing what it actually meant. Now that I know what it means and I’m very apologetic. I did not mean any harm and I didn’t mean it in a derogatory type of way to offend

anyone,” he said.

Confronted by an ugly public backlash, a furious NRL will impose beefed-up penalties for any players who abuse referees or vilify people with disabilities or who are autistic.



View attachment 14762
Fonua-Blake enters the Lottoland tunnel with the match officials roughly five metres behind him.
View attachment 14761
... before turning into the Manly shed.
View attachment 14763View attachment 14761View attachment 14762View attachment 14763
The match officials walk past without confrontation.


NRL interim CEO Andrew Abdo has asked his integrity unit to explore whether Fonua-Blake should be hit with a second charge – and a possible further suspension – for his comments about Atkins.

After being told of a second offensive outburst by Fonua-Blake, ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys revealed plans for increased punishment for players.

The “spastic” comment came just moments after Fonua-Blake was sent off after fulltime for calling Atkins a “f…ing retard.”

Manly’s 118kg prop pleaded guilty to a grade three contrary conduct charge for his on-field behaviour and accepted a two-game suspension.

Yet when made aware of Fonua-Blake’s second tirade at Atkins, the NRL immediately began discussing whether the Sea Eagles giant should be charged and punished again.

The integrity unit couldn’t reach a final decision on Tuesday afternoon and will further discuss the drama on Wednesday.



Fonua-Blake was irate that Manly – behind 14-12 - was denied a late penalty which could have levelled the scores against Newcastle last Sunday.

V’landys confirmed a possible second charge against Fonua-Blake was “being reviewed.”

“The rules will definitely change. There will certainly be changes made moving forward from this incident because there is some learning from it. It will be definitely be looked it,” he said.

“There will be harsher penalties for swearing at referee and players who take a particular group in the community and make fun of them. We don’t want people in the community to feel uncomfortable because some players slag down on them.

“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 thing we don’t actually mean but my concern, for him to continue on, is a serious concern.”

Abdo said Fonua-Blake has breached the game’s Anti-Vilification Code.

“What happened on Sunday was divisive and against the fabric of what we stand for as a game,” he said. “There is no place for comments like that in our game. Sport is about bringing people and communities together and we pride ourselves on being an inclusive game for everyone.

“Now that the match review process is complete, I want to speak directly with Addin and the club about the incidents before determining any penalty.”

Privately Manly claim they didn’t have the required staff - due to the COVID-19 NRL bubble – to ensure Fonua-Blake was escorted from the field and safely into the dressing.

Despite being told by NRL head of football Graham Annesley that his decision on Sunday was wrong, video referee Jared Maxwell has not only retained in first grade but been appointed to adjudicate three games this round.

#suehadley
 
Don't you find it amazing that Curtis Scott can king hit Walker and the NRL does not feel the need to add further sanctions. Especially with all the 1 punch can kill reporting BUT you call somebody a name and everyone wants the book thrown at AFB.
Greg Inglis drink drives and endangers lives yet received a very light punishment.

So obviously it's ok to king hit someone or drink drive but how dare you call someone a name. It's madness.
 
Kick someone when they are down, twice as hard if it’s Manly. AFB shouldn’t have said either remark but fmd how many times do you say something inappropriate behind closed doors?

He’ll cop his punishment and learn from this but i’m sure the other 479 NRL players never say anything like that behind closed doors
 
Don't you find it amazing that Curtis Scott can king hit Walker and the NRL does not feel the need to add further sanctions. Especially with all the 1 punch can kill reporting BUT you call somebody a name and everyone wants the book thrown at AFB.
Greg Inglis drink drives and endangers lives yet received a very light punishment.

So obviously it's ok to king hit someone or drink drive but how dare you call someone a name. It's madness.

Exactly!

Even more recently, Leilua's dog shot on Edwards - after the match Edwards himself trundled out that old chestnut "what happens on the field stays on the field". That was outright assault & had it happened off the field, Leilua would be arrested, charged & possibly looking at jail time.

Meanwhile AFB goes off on a rant onfield after the game has finished that you couldn't clearly hear at the time & the media has promoted & amplified what he actually said so all the Captain Outragers out there can climb on their high horses & stick the boot in.

Unbelievable.
 
Don't you find it amazing that Curtis Scott can king hit Walker and the NRL does not feel the need to add further sanctions. Especially with all the 1 punch can kill reporting BUT you call somebody a name and everyone wants the book thrown at AFB.
Greg Inglis drink drives and endangers lives yet received a very light punishment.

So obviously it's ok to king hit someone or drink drive but how dare you call someone a name. It's madness.
Totally agree - GI got a reference from Shoddy FFS!

As I said in another thread AFB is Being targeted because he called out a high profile NRL media personality For racism a few weeks ago. Nothing more than a revenge ‘killing’ for the gutter journalists and the NRL has shat their paints pandering to them.
 
Totally agree - GI got a reference from Shoddy FFS!

As I said in another thread AFB is Being targeted because he called out a high profile NRL media personality For racism a few weeks ago. Nothing more than a revenge ‘killing’ for the gutter journalists and the NRL has shat their paints pandering to them.

This......exactly , it’s revenge
 
If it turns out a match official has not told the truth in his report of an incident then what is the fallout there? Surely that is a bigger issue in terms of the integrity of the game than a player losing his cool from being ripped off (again) by the referee after putting his heart into a massive performance.
 
If it turns out a match official has not told the truth in his report of an incident then what is the fallout there? Surely that is a bigger issue in terms of the integrity of the game than a player losing his cool from being ripped off (again) by the referee after putting his heart into a massive performance.
Nup, they are untouchable!!
 
I will be willing to bet that Addin will never do this ever again and I am convinced that he is legitimately regrets his actions and feels bad for any special needs people who he has offended. No decent person would feel ok about upsetting people who are trying to get through life with special needs. 2 Weeks is enough of a penalty for verbal abuse. Lets put it in context, he didn't verbally abuse a child in a wheelchair or tease a kid with special needs. He said a stupid thing in the heat of the moment. How many people can honestly say that they have never used the same term before? I know I have, I am not proud of it but I realised the hurt it can cause and that its not on and stopped using it. I'm pretty sure Addin or any other player won't ever do this again, so therefore the punishment is sufficient as the whole idea of punishment is to rehabilitate and deter people from doing it again. The only reason to go further with this is for the cancel culture Social Justice Warriors to feel righteous. Ironically these cancel culture people are the very ones that Ray Hadley and the others are constantly whinging about and rallying against, but now when it suits Hadley to be a social justice warrior he goes all in. You can't have it both ways Ray.

It is a harsh reality but these horrible terms are still being used by the many, many ignorant people on a daily basis. I couldn't count the amount of times I have heard the exact term that Addin used being said in a private conversation sometimes in public and many times on American TV shows and movies and I would suggest those same movies and shows have been aired on the commercial TV station's that are having a dig at Addin. Although Addin has done the wrong thing, we as a society have a lot to answer for when it comes to accepting the use of these words, for too long people have brushed it off and ignored it. That being said I don't think ruining AFB's career and public image is going to achieve anything other than people feeling righteous. Ironically by Hadley airing more of the conversation it has thrown another horrible word "Sp$%tic" into the public domain so that any kids listening to the news or media now have another word to add to their vocabulary.

I hope this whole episode eradicates the use of these terms as that would be something good that has come out of it. However it does not need to ruin Addin Fonua-Blake to achieve that.
 
No one knew the 's' word was used until the media brought it up.

I've said it before the irony is that when it's reported either in print or on TV the offensive word is written or said but the preceding word is censored.
 

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