Souths Inala anxious wait for QRL investigation as referees boycott the team

A southside rugby league team will be written out of the 2023 draw after referees announced they would boycott the side after an official was kicked in the throat during a match.

Rugby league referee Brian Roper was kicked in the throat while reffing a game at Acacia Ridge between Dayboro and Souths Inala Warriors, he was hospitalised for three days. Picture: Liam Kidston

A southside football team in the Brisbane Rugby League will be effectively sidelined pending investigations after a match this month resulted in a referee being kicked in the head and throat.

Referee Brian Roper spent two nights in hospital and has suffered damage to his voice box after he was kicked in the throat while refereeing a Division 1 men’s match between Dayboro Cowboys and Souths Inala Warriors.

The incident prompted top-level meetings between Queensland Rugby League officials and members of Rugby League Brisbane, who stood down the Souths Inala Men’s Division 1 team until QRL investigations into the incident were completed.

Brisbane Rugby League Referees Association also withdrew referee services for all matches involving Souths Inala Open Men’s Division 1 team, until the incident has been dealt with by QRL and a police investigation is completed.

Police said no charges have been laid.

BRLRA president Alan Reese lodged a complaint with Queensland Rugby League and Rugby League Brisbane.

“There will not be any BRLRA officials at any games they are scheduled to play until we are happy this matter has been sorted and a police investigation concluded,” Mr Reese said.

“There have been complaints about sideline tensions at matches which is why the league has the Positive Environment Program in place to handle such complaints.”

Queensland Rugby League area manager (Rugby League Brisbane) Scott Dunshea said standing down the team would not affect the competition over the two-week Easter match break.

Rugby league referee Brian Roper was kicked in the throat while reffing a game at Acacia Ridge between Dayboro and Souths Inala Warriors. Picture: Supplied

“There have been no decisions made around the exclusion of that particular team indefinitely.

“The team is stood down pending the QRL investigation.

“If this is a police matter, this could take quite a considerable amount of time and we are not going to comment on individuals involved.”

Mr Dunshea said the QRL would not be writing letters informing clubs about the decision to sideline the team.

Instead, while the matter was under investigation, each Souths Inala game would be treated as a forfeit with the designated three points automatically going to the opposition team.

Souths Inala was contacted for comment.

The on-field incident sent shockwaves through the Dayboro Cowboys club.

Two trainers from the club, north of Brisbane, were being hailed as heroes after they raced on to the field to protect Mr Roper seconds after he was kicked in the head.

Dayboro trainers Clinton Heathwood and Stewart Howie were able to stop play and safely shepherd the referee off the field.

A Dayboro past president, who was also at the match, called for the southside team to be banned from the competition forever.

He said the club received an apologetic call from Souths Inala this week.

But, he said he had feared for the referee’s life at the game and said the alleged violence at the match was “disgusting”.

“It was awful to watch. I was really concerned for him. It was absolutely disgusting, even after the incident some still wanted to carry on,” he said.

“I’m really glad to hear Mr Roper is on the mend but this team should be pulled out all together.”

He said it was not the first time he had felt intimidated at a match and said some players got police escorts to their buses after the 2021 grand final.

The 14-round competition ends in August.