The shocking stat that explains why NSWRL came down hard on Asu Kepaoa for homophobic slur
Asu Kepaoa was the fifth player accused of using homophobic slurs in NSW Rugby League matches in the last two years and officials hope the lengthy ban he was given on Wednesday will send a strong message that such behavior will never be tolerated.
Kepaoa was hit six match ban After pleading guilty to calling his St George Illawarra opponent “fuck you” during a NSW Cup match last Friday.
The referee heard this insult and Kepaoa was sent off directly from the field. At trial, Kepaoa allegedly used the term three separate times, and Kepaoa disputed that claim that night.
This imprint can reveal that four other players have been cited for using homophobic slurs at various state competitions over the past two seasons, and the previous maximum suspension was three games.
These bans were issued to a Sydney Roosters player in the Jersey Flegg competition and a senior player in the Illawarra’s Harrigan Cup.
However, a North Sydney player also received just a one-match ban for using a homophobic slur at last year’s NSW Cup, raising the question of whether Kepaoa was treated relatively harshly.
Homophobia and sexuality in rugby league came to the fore again earlier this month. Former Sydney Roosters backing Kane Evans He revealed that he was gay but hid his sexuality and used alcohol and drugs to cope. He admitted to having suicidal thoughts.
roosters He offered her a part-time job Last week, after Evans was subjected to homophobic remarks at work over his public admission about Nine’s 100% Football.
NSWRL chief executive Dave Trodden said Evans’ appearance had nothing to do with the penalty handed down to Kepaoa, but was intended to send a strong message to other players that such remarks would not be tolerated.
NSWRL counsel had pushed for an eight-match ban before the judiciary decided on six.
“When you talk about general deterrence, when there are five [homophobic slur] “If some examples emerge in a short period of time, the message needs to be a stronger message because other messages are not getting through,” Trodden told this imprint on Thursday.
“Special deterrence was also at a more serious point because that was the claim. [Kepaoa] He said the word not once but multiple times. When you combine general deterrence with specific deterrence, you face a more severe penalty.
“These comments are completely unacceptable. We are for inclusion and everyone who plays our sport needs to feel they have a place in rugby league.
“Anytime someone says something or does something that questions inclusivity, we have to come down hard on them, and we will.”
The last player to be banned for using a homophobic slur in an NRL match was Marcelo Montoya, who was then playing for the New Zealand Warriors.
Kepaoa, who has played 42 NRL games but is yet to make a first-grade club debut for the Knights, issued a personal apology on the night and acknowledged the damage his words had done.
The Knights released a statement late on Wednesday, saying: “Newcastle Knights is an inclusive club and we pride ourselves on being a welcoming place for all players, staff and fans.
“Language that harms individuals or communities has no place in our club, the NRL or our community.”
Knights coach Justin Holbrook said Newcastle had promised the club would learn from the saga. “Everyone knows this is not right and he has paid a heavy price for it, both personally and as a club,” Holbrook said on Thursday.
“We do a lot of training in these areas, but what happened was not right and [Kepaoa] accepted responsibility and its consequences. “We have to move on and learn from this.”
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