Lebanese footy NRL players threatened with JAIL if they tape over logo on their jerseys in protest

Lebanese footy players are threatened with JAIL if they tape over the national logo on their jerseys – but they refuse to back down from their protest

  • Under Lebanese law it is a criminal offence to denigrate the national emblem
  • The protest is due to dissatisfaction with the Lebanese Rugby League Federation
  • Some players argue the federation have underutilised the team’s success
  • If the protest goes ahead fines and immediate suspension were also threatened 

Lebanon rugby league players have been threatened with imprisonment if they push ahead with a plan to tape over the national logo on their jerseys.

High-profile players including Wests Tigers hooker Robbie Farah and Penrith Panthers speedster Josh Mansour will put tape over the Lebanon Rugby League Federation logo during their game against Fiji in Sydney on Saturday.

The players are protesting at what they consider to be the federation’s failure to promote the game following the team’s strong showing at the 2017 World Cup.

Under Lebanese law, it is a criminal offence to ‘denigrate’ the national emblem.

Farah hit back at the national body on Wednesday, saying the players were determined to make their opinions heard – and threatened to boycott the game. 

Players including Josh Mansour (pictured with wife Daniella) are taking part in the protest against the Lebanese Rugby League Federation

Players on the Lebanon team such as Robbie Farah (right), pictured with Adam Doueihi (left), w threatened with immediate suspension if they proceeded with the protest

Players on the Lebanon team such as Robbie Farah (right) and Adam Doueihi (left) were threatened with immediate suspension if they proceeded with the protest

The federation added that the public prosecutor’s office had been notified of the protest – meaning players could be arrested when they travel to Lebanon.

‘The LRLF understands from its coaching staff that the playing squad selected for the match against Fiji intends covering up the Cedars emblem,’ the statement said.

‘The LRLF will not tolerate any insult to the iconic, national symbol of the Republic of Lebanon and its people.’

In addition to threats of legal prosecution, the LRLF also said there would be fines for players and immediate suspensions pending an investigation.  

Farah said Lebanon’s players would refuse to take the field if the LRLF continued with their threats.

‘We don’t want to go to jail. We just won’t play,’ he told the Daily Telegraph.

‘Those people know what has happened, they are worried about their own self interest. They aren’t listening to us.

‘We aren’t asking for much. They have their blinkers on. We didn’t want to cover up the badge. We thought this was the way we wanted to be heard.

Mitch Moses (pictured with his sister Kat) is another one of the players risking jail time with the protest

Mitch Moses (pictured with his sister Kat) is another one of the players risking jail time with the protest

Farah explained the protest last week, saying more needed to be done to promote rugby league in Lebanon. 

‘We are all so proud to represent the Cedars,’ Farah said .

‘The 2017 World Cup was one of the highlights of my career. But as a playing group we can’t support what is happening to the game in Lebanon.

‘We want the game to grow and prosper and we stand alongside those domestic players in demanding change,’ he said.

Farah also said he believes the national team’s chances at the World Cup are in jeopardy – a statement that the LRLF rejects entirely. 

He was one of several players that previously boycotted last season’s mid year test over the same issue.  

The protest is due to player's dissatisfaction with the LRLF failing to utilise Lebanon's success following the 2017 Rugby League World Cup where the team reached the quarter finals

The protest is due to player’s dissatisfaction with the LRLF failing to utilise Lebanon’s success following the 2017 Rugby League World Cup where the team reached the quarter finals

Lebanese Rugby League Federation statement on players’ protest

  1. Any player who conceals the CEDARS badge – which is the emblem the federation selected to be worn by the representative of, the nation – will face misconduct charges.
  2. Any player who conceals the CEDARS badge will be suspended with immediate effect pending the outcomes of any misconduct hearing.
  3. The LRLF will seek significant monetary fines on any person found guilty of misconduct related to this incident.
  4. The Lebanese public prosecutor’s office has been made aware of the incident and will launch an investigation in coordination with the LRLF. It is a criminal offence to denigrate the national emblem of the Republic of Lebanon.

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