Central Coast rugby league brawl: Object thrown towards ballgirls the catalyst for mayhem

The Wyong Roos have issued a statement strongly denying that racist language or actions were the cause of a massive brawl, as new footage emerges regarding the potential spark of the incident.

The ugly physical and verbal brawling which has engulfed Central Coast rugby league has flared again after Wyong angrily denied inflammatory accusations from Andrew Fifita that their club was racist.

Wyong officials have broken their silence to claim club supporters “were victims of an unprovoked, violent attack by several Woy Woy players and supporters” during an ugly incident during and after a game on June 9.

The Wyong club also insisted Fifita should have helped break up the melee and described the former Cronulla star’s allegation that their fans acted racially as “absurd and disrespectful.”

A wild fight between Wyong and Woy Woy fans and players behind the Woy Woy Oval grandstand erupted post-game on June 9, a melee which has resulted in racial vilification accusations, forfeits and a 20-year ban for a fan.

Andrew Fifita plays for the Woy Woy Roosters in the Central Coast Rugby League competition. Picture: Damian Shaw

And it prompted Fifita, Woy Woy’s captain-coach, to claim Erina and Terrigal had “supported racism” by forfeiting to his Roosters.

A forceful statement issued by Wyong read: “On June 9th 2024 a group of Wyong Roos supporters were involved in an incident at Woy Woy Oval.

“At the conclusion of the match the Wyong supporters were victims of an unprovoked, violent attack by several Woy Woy players and supporters after being wrongly accused of racial abuse by Andrew Fifita during the game.

“Our club is disappointed that Andrew Fifita, the captain-coach of Woy Woy, took no action to try to break up this attack.

“Contrary to the allegations by Fifita, as reported in the media, the NSWRL Code of Conduct Review Panel found last week that there was no evidence of racial abuse by the Wyong supporters during the game.

“To emphasise the falsity of racial abuse is the fact that several of the family members seated in the Wyong section are themselves indigenous.

“To suggest that these valued members of our Wyong Roos community would condone such activity in their presence, is both absurd and disrespectful.

“The Wyong supporters suffered significant physical and emotional trauma resulting from the attack, with one supporter requiring hospital attention.”

Wyong CEO Ben Coghlan added: “I have met with the family who were the victims of this brutal attack, and I was genuinely shocked by the extent and severity of the injuries that they sustained. Whilst the physical scars in time may heal, the emotional distress they have endured will remain quite possibly forever.

“We are completely outraged by this vile act and those who perpetrated it.”

The father of a Wyong player, Justin Bayley, later that night sent Fifita a series of vile and racist messages through social media.

Bayley was banned from rugby league by the NSWRL for 20 years.

“The father of the Wyong player has acknowledged that private messages sent to Andrew Fifita later in the evening on the day of the attack included unacceptable racist comments,” the Wyong statement read.

“He has expressed deep remorse for his conduct.

“Wyong Rugby League Club condemns any form of racism and further condemns any form of violence towards players, team officials and spectators. All participants at our games should be able to attend without fear of being violently attacked.

“It is the firm view of the Wyong Leagues Group board of directors that violence is never acceptable any time or anywhere. For an unprovoked and vicious attack on a family at a sporting event in broad daylight further underscores just how disturbing and unacceptable this incident was.

“The Wyong Roos organisation firmly refutes any allegation of racism or bias toward any group within our community. Since its establishment in 1910, the team has actively embraced diversity within our community.

“This fact is best evidenced by examining the composition of our sides throughout the years, who have always featured players from a wide range of ethnic backgrounds.

“We are also proud supporters of all initiatives that recognise the important contribution made by our First Nations people in our great game.”

Woy Woy released a club statement last week supporting Fifita.

“Our club was sanctioned after the June 9 incident, we were not allowed to have spectators, canteen or Bar. We copped the punishment as much as we didn’t agree with it,” it read.

“We support Andrew and our players for sticking up for their rights following the lack of acknowledgment from the governing bodies to address the issues at hand regarding the racial vilification Andrew copped, especially after the game that evening, instead they are focused on the aftermath.”