Police fines, 10-year bans for parents involved in Brothers, Souths Townsville league fight

The parents involved in a brawl at an U9s rugby league game in Townsville have learned their fate for fighting in front of their children, with a tribunal dishing out lengthy bans from games.

The parents involved in a brawl at an U9s rugby league game in Townsville have learned their fate for fighting in front of their children, with stiff penalties handed down.

During a mixed under-9 match between Souths and Brothers Townsville on July 21, a man pushed a child to the ground, sparking other dads to enter the field and an ugly skirmish breaking out.

After the fight, Queensland Rugby League (QRL) banned both teams while an investigation took place, including police involvement.

It can now be revealed four men have since been fined for causing a nuisance in public, each having to fork out $464, a police spokeswoman confirmed on Monday.

But the bigger consequences have been handed down by QRL, which has banned the men from attending games for up to 15 years each, following a tribunal ruling from the Northern League chair.

The coach of the Townsville Brothers Leagues Club, understood to have been the first adult to run on to the pitch, has been handed a lifetime ban from holding or obtaining any official or accredited role with the QRL.

For 15 years, he won’t be able to attend any QRL matches, and he will be placed on a good behaviour period for life once that expires.

The tribunal found him guilty of bringing the game into disrepute, and disorderly/insulting/ objectionable conduct, along with three other charges.

Another parent was banned for 10 years, also including a life ban on any registered role with QRL.

A screenshot of a video of parents fighting at an under-9s league match in Townsville on July 21, 2023.

When handing down punishments, the chair called the situation an embarrassment.

“We will reiterate on behalf of the panel that we feel embarrassed having to sit here and adjudicate a matter such as this at an Under 9s game,” he said.

“The behaviour of all parties involved, in our view, is totally inexcusable and the penalties handed down must serve as a deterrent to every person involved in not only this sport and this great game, but every participant of every other sport across Queensland.”

Five more spectators who ran on to the pitch have faced bans ranging from eight weeks to 12 years, based on their level of involvement in the fight, and the circumstances on which they joined in.

Three more spectators facing judgement were yet to appear before the tribunal, the Bulletin understands. They are being excluded from watching games until their cases are heard.

Jeff Doyle, president, Brothers, said those who had been found to have been involved had been handed their outcomes.

“It’s unfortunate that it has occurred, particular in junior football,” Mr Doyle said.

“Brothers will work with the governing body to instigate changes accordingly.”

A spokesman from QRL said there is no place at any level of the game for physical violence.

“It is completely unacceptable and does not sit well with many people within our rugby league communities who foster a positive environment every week,” he said.

“We now hope that these individuals use the period of time that they are out of the game to seriously consider whether they have a place in community sport again.”

Originally published as Police fines, 10-year bans for parents involved in Brothers, Souths Townsville league fight