A teenage rugby union player in the NSW Hunter region has been charged after he allegedly hit the referee in the jaw during a grand finals game.
Mark Meafua, 18, allegedly punched referee Nicklas Gaal, 19, in the face after being shown a yellow card during Saturday’s under 19s grand final against the Newcastle Wanderers, Nine News reported.
He has been granted bail for the assault charge and will face court next month.
Mark Meafua, 18, (pictured) was arrested at a Rutherford home later that night. He has been charged over the alleged assault
Mark Meafua, 18, allegedly punched referee Nicklas Gaal, 19, (pictured) in the face after being shown a yellow card
The 18-year-old player was arrested at a Rutherford home later that night, and Maitland Rugby Club president Ben Emmett has condemned the incident.
‘In no way do we condone what occurred,’ Mr Emmett told AAP.
‘It’s in no way a representation of us as an organisation or our sport either.’
The attack happened after the Maitland Blacks player was given a yellow card when he reacted to a tackle by a Newcastle Wanderers player, Fairfax Media reports.
The attack happened after the Maitland Blacks player was given a yellow card when he reacted to a tackle by a Newcastle Wanderers player
Meafua was removed from the field while Nicklas Gaal, the 19-year-old referee, was treated for minor injuries before officiating the rest of the game
Meafua was removed from the field while Nicklas Gaal, the 19-year-old referee, was treated for minor injuries before officiating the rest of the game.
Mr Emmett says the club will work with officials and authorities to determine what punishment the player will face.
‘The Maitland Rugby Club refuses to accept any actions that may bring our great sport into disrepute,’ Mr Emmett said in a Facebook post on Saturday.
‘The Blacks will stand by any subsequent determinations made against an individual for whom this behaviour is an aberration and completely out of character.’
Meafua was removed from the field while Nicklas Gaal, the 19-year-old referee (pictured), was treated for minor injuries before officiating the rest of the game
Mr Emmett says the club will work with officials and authorities to determine what punishment the player will face.
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