NRL 2020: Kevin Proctor guilty of biting, cops four-week suspension
Gold Coast Titans star Kevin Proctor has been whacked by the NRL judiciary who found him guilty of biting Cronulla’s Shaun Johnson.
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Gold Coast Titans star Kevin Proctor has copped a four-week ban after being found guilty of biting Cronulla Sharks playmaker Shaun Johnson.
The ugly incident saw Proctor sent from the field on the weekend after cameras showed him with his mouth open while Johnson’s forearm was wrapped across his lips.
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An NRL judiciary hearing on Tuesday night spanned several hours before the official announcement came through.
Proctor received a 25 per cent discount on his penalty because of a seven-year good record without any charges, but will still be forced to sit on the sidelines for four weeks.
Proctor claimed he was struggling to breathe with Johnson’s arm around his mouth and was adamant he “definitely” did not bite his opponent — but his defence fell flat.
Johnson found himself in hot water after he broke his silence publicly on the incident on Tuesday afternoon and may yet cop a sanction for discussing the matter prior to the hearing.
Although the Kiwi star blew up on the field during the match, he later backed away from his accusation and seemed prepared to accept Proctor did not intentionally bite him.
Johnson acted as a character witness for Proctor during the hearing to aid his defence, and was grilled over changing his stance.
Asked if he thought Proctor bit him, Johnson replied: “No.”
Asked if he thought at the time Proctor had bitten him, Johnson replied: “Yes.”
Johnson said he changed his mind “in review”.
“As the match went on I thought it didn’t make sense. At the time I thought I got bit,” he said.
“When I was in the dressing sheds I started thinking about it all and it didn’t add up.
“I’ve never been bitten before. I’m not saying he tried to chomp my arm off.”
Before the hearing, Proctor pleaded his innocence while Titans culture manager Mal Meninga also defended the forward, saying on TV he thought the 31-year-old was acting in self-defence because he “felt that his life was in danger” while being “choked”.
NRL judiciary chairman, Honourable Justice Geoffrey Bellew, blasted the trio for making public comments before the hearing.
“This case has attracted a considerable deal of publicity; ignore them and pay no attention to them,” Bellew said.
“You must ignore any statements made by the players, any players in his team, Mr Johnson or by any club officials regarding this charge. It is not for players to discuss cases in the media.”
Ahead of the judiciary hearing Proctor maintained he never bit Johnson, telling The Courier-Mail he was “p***ed off” that the on-field referees made such a contentious decision on the run.
“I will be telling the NRL judiciary I didn’t bite Shaun Johnson,” Proctor said. “My record in this game speaks for itself.
“I didn’t bite him, I am 100 per cent on that.
“I will fight to the death to clear my name.
“Rugby league has been going on for 112 years and no-one has ever been sent off for alleged biting.
“I’m so p***ed off about this.
“To be accused of biting someone is the lowest thing you can face as a footballer.”
Originally published as NRL 2020: Kevin Proctor guilty of biting, cops four-week suspension