Former NRL star John Hopoate banned from playing or coaching rugby league for 10 years
FORMER NRL star John Hopoate has been banned from playing or coaching rugby league for 10 years following a July incident in grade rugby league but used last night’s hearing to make bombshell racial allegations.
NRL
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RUGBY league has finally seen the end of bad boy John Hopoate.
At a tense and hostile NSWRL hearing on Wednesday night, Hopoate, 44, was banned from playing or coaching rugby league for 10 years — but not before making bombshell racial allegations.
It is among the longest suspensions of a high-profile player in the history of rugby league.
He cannot hold any official role until 2028, which could throw into doubt his position with the Tongan national team, who he has been a part of for several years.
Hopoate pleaded guilty to contrary conduct charges for using offensive and obscene language and assaulting or acting with aggression while representing Narraweena in a Manly-Warringah A-grade match against Forestville Ferrets on July 21.
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During the hearing at NSWRL headquarters, Hopoate claimed he had been called an “f … ing black monkey” on the field.
The former Manly and Wests Tigers star was sent-off just after halftime for telling a Forestville player he was “going to smash you, you dog.”
He then menaced the Forestville bench, telling a Ferrets officials to “f … off”.
Hopoate can apply to return after five years with half of his sentence suspended.
During evidence, Hopoate said: “No-one gets angry for no reason — like being called an f … ing black monkey.
“The bloke (Forestville player) was still being smart arse on the sidelines because he knew I couldn’t touch him. I wanted to smack the guy. He was a grub, I am a grub.
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“There were racial comments all game. I don’t cry or bitch at being called a black f … ing monkey or him being a smart arse on the sidelines.
“I was a frickin’ mug, I carried on like a frickin’ idiot but I don’t appreciate being called a f … ing black money. I lost my shit but I’d do the same thing if they called me a f … ing black monkey again.
“I’m here because of who I am.”
Asked did he make an on-field racial complaint to the referee, Hopoate said: “No, I was too angry. I didn’t report it because I’m not a crybaby.”
Then asked whether he informed a match official, Hopoate said: “No, I was too angry — because I’m not a bitch.”
NSWRL prosecutor, barrister AJ Karin, lambasted Hopoate.
“Being subject to racism is disgraceful,” he said. “Why shouldn’t you be angry? But it was the way you conducted yourself.”
Hopoate interrupted to say: “It was totally unacceptable. (But you) can’t let these guys get away with it, it’s racist.”
Narraweena official, Joe Ienna, praised the character of Hopoate, a former NSW and Australian winger.
“I’m a bit biased but what you see out there isn’t the person. Sometimes he admits he’s his own worst enemy. Deep down, he’s a good person,” Ienna said.
NSWRL code of conduct panel chairman John Walford said: “The evidence against Mr Hopoate is overwhelming. (His) violent behaviour is outside the rules of the game, no doubt.
“This is not an isolated incident.”
Hopoate had already pleaded guilty to a striking charge from the same game.
NSW Rugby League Chief Executive David Trodden said: “Every governing body has an obligation to the participants who play our game to ensure they can play in a safe and enjoyable environment.
“Incidents like these, which challenge that safe and enjoyable environment and damage the reputation of our sport, have no place in our game and must be dealt with appropriately to protect our game and the vast majority of participants who respect its rules.”
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