Corey Norman banned for eight Super League games for inappropriate contact with his opponent’s buttocks
Corey Norman’s rugby league career could be over, with the former Queensland State of Origin player handed a lengthy Super League ban for ‘inappropriate contact’.
Key points:
- Corey Norman was found guilty of inappropriate contact with the back of an opposing player
- Norman denied doing anything deliberate, but was found guilty in court and banned for eight games.
- Norman’s Toulouse side are heading for relegation
Norman was hit with an eight-game ban after being found guilty of intentionally placing a hand between the buttocks of Warrington’s Oliver Holmes during a game on Thursday.
The act was compared to similar offenses by 1990s rugby league star John Hopoate, who became infamous for a similar act.
Norman, who was also fined 500 pounds ($860), pleaded not guilty at his disciplinary hearing after being charged with a grade F offense – the highest possible, which carries a suspension of at least eight matches.
Judge Sarah Wright, who chaired the independent tribunal, said the panel of former players was “fully satisfied” the act was deliberate.
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Norman had been engaged in an ongoing battle with Holmes for several games, before a lengthy detention in a tackle on Thursday night.
The former NRL star’s hand can then be seen moving towards Holmes’ buttocks, before a complaint was immediately made by the Warrington lock in the face of a smiling Norman.
When play was stopped at the next tackle for a separate penalty, the linesman advised the referee of an allegation of misconduct.
“Footage of the incident shows deliberate movement of Corey Norman’s left arm and hand on Oliver Holmes’ top and buttocks,” the decision read.
“At no point does the footage show a grab of the shorts to push Oliver Holmes down, as described by Corey Norman.
“The footage shows deliberate placement of Corey Norman’s hands and fingers on the buttocks and coupled with Holmes’ immediate complaint, teammate Danny Walker’s reaction and Holmes’ statement to which we measured respect, we are fully satisfied that this was an intentional placement of a hand between the opposing player’s buttocks and we find the charge proven.”
Norman announced his retirement from the NRL at the end of last year, before resuming his Super League career.
The former Brisbane, Parramatta and St George Illawarra playmaker signed a deal for the remainder of the 2022 season with Toulouse in April, which has so far not been renewed.
There are just four games left in the Toulouse season, meaning any ban would extend until next year should Norman land another contract.
The France-based club currently sit bottom of the table and are doomed to relegation to the Championship unless they can win at least two of their remaining matches.
AAP
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