NRL 2022 judiciary: Marcelo Montoya suspended for four matches over homophobic slur

Warriors winger Marcelo Montoya has been handed a lengthy ban for last weekend’s homophobic slur, have your say on the punishment.

Ian Roberts was first NRL player to come out as openly gay. Picture: Tim Hunter

Warriors winger Marcelo Montoya vehemently denied being homophobic when controversially rubbed out of rugby league for four games after calling North Queensland’s Kyle Feldt a “f----t.”

Montoya became the first player in NRL history to appear before an NRL judiciary hearing for a homophobic slur.

“I am not a homophobe and gays in the community are valued,” Montoya told the judiciary. “It wasn’t used to refer to his sexuality at all.”

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After a 75-minute hearing, Montoya was suspended until the Warriors’ round 10 match against Souths.

He pleaded guilty to contrary contact and was referred directly to an NRL judiciary hearing on Tuesday night after his discriminatory insult. During the game last Friday night in Redcliffe, Montoya yelled at a prone Feldt: “Get up Kyle you f----t.”

Asked why he used the word towards Feldt, Montoya said: “Obviously in the heat of the moment on the footy field things are said and I totally understand and accept that the word I used is unacceptable.

“It is something that is definitely out of my character. It was definitely a poor choice of words. There was no intention by me to offend anyone or offend Kyle.

“It was just the heat of the moment and it was just a word that come out. I used the word to get under his skin or to just upset him.

“I take full responsibility for that and I am ready for whatever is to come next.”

Marcelo Montoya fronted the NRL judiciary via a video link on Tuesday night. Picture: Jonathan Ng

In offering a public apology, Montoya said: “I would like to apologise to Kyle Feldt, to the NRL and to the gay community, and anyone else that I have offended, as I know and respect the work that the NRL has done to ensure inclusiveness and diversity within the NRL community.

“Moving forward I can only assure you that I have learned from this lesson and this will never have again.”

Montoya, 26, admitted he was the culprit to Warriors coach Nathan Brown on Saturday — a day after the match — before then admitting his sin to Warriors CEO Cameron George on Sunday.

The two-man judiciary panel – comprising former players Bob Lindner and Tony Puletua – deliberated for 20 minutes before reaching their verdict.

Marcelo Montoya said the comment was used “in the heat of moment” and was “definitely out of my character”. Picture: NRL Photos

NRL counsel, Lachlan Gyles, SC, initially called for a six-game suspension before reducing it to a four-match ban due to Montoya’s remorse and guilty plea. McLeod sought a three-match suspension but decreased it two games, also through Montoya’s remorse and early plea.

George also gave evidence from Auckland, saying: “The club does not condone this kind of behaviour and we apologise for the statement. We understand the offence. Marcelo is a true gentleman of the game. This is so out-of-character for Marcelo. He is high caring for all people around him.”

Before the hearing, RLPA chief executive Clint Newton revealed he had spoken to Montoya about the incident.

“There is zero tolerance for language of that nature,” Newton said. “There’s no place for it and the RLPA, with our members, will never accept that.

“He feels terrible for what he said and rightly so. He did put his hand up and has owned his mistake which shows he is willing to accept responsibility. Marcelo understands the language that he’s used was absolutely wrong.

“He is accountable for his actions and I certainly think he will rectify this mistake. This is a learning experience for Marcelo and our game. It’s a chance to improve and it shouldn’t be a career-defining moment for him.”

Montoya appeared via video link, as did judiciary chairman Geoff Bellew, who has Covid. Montoya’s counsel, James McLeod, was also beamed in through Zoom.

Why Ian Roberts feels let down by NRL

-Dean Ritchie

Ian Roberts, the NRL’s first openly gay player, has called on the league to “draw a line in the sand” over players using homophobic slurs during matches, declaring: “It’s so incredibly damaging.”

Sydney-raised Warriors player Marcelo Montoya was referred directly to an NRL judiciary hearing on Tuesday night after calling North Queensland winger Kyle Feldt a “f …. t” during Friday night’s match in Redcliffe.

It will become one of the most defining judiciary cases in the NRL era.

Ian Roberts said he would be happy to meet with Montoya. Picture: Tim Hunter

Roberts wouldn’t be drawn on a possible suspension for Montoya but claimed the game must act quickly to eradicate all on-field discriminatory insults. He even suggested television broadcasters consider introducing an audio delay to ensure any similar comments aren’t aired.

“This is where the NRL draw a line in the sand about discriminatory remarks made on-field and that it’s no longer acceptable under any circumstances. Racism isn’t acceptable, misogynistic comments aren’t acceptable, homophobic slurs are not part of our game,” Roberts said.

“When I heard it on Friday night, my initial thought – and I’m looking at a much bigger picture here – was about the kids in the suburbs and regional areas who are struggling with their sexual identity.

“This is so incredibly damaging and you can’t take it back. I don’t think enough people realise how damaging these flippant remarks are. This is about the full spectrum of discrimination.

“I’m not attacking the man who made the mistake. We all say things in the heat of the moment but you still have to address it. I’m not going to weigh in about his punishment, that’s got nothing to do with me.

“I’m sure what was said wasn’t meant as an attack on gay people. It’s one of those words – it’s like the ‘N’ word – some people use it because it is so nasty and cutting.

“When I was growing up, I never knew what it was to be gay or homosexual because those words weren’t used. But I always knew what it was to be a f …. t. It cuts. People don’t say that word, they spit it and attack you with it.

“I think the broadcasters also have a responsibility to have some sort of a delay button. Maybe a 30-second delay so these comments don’t make it to air.”

By being refereed, the judiciary panel can impose a suspension outside the limitations of the NRL’s grading system.

Parramatta’s Mitch Moses was the last player suspended for a homophobic slur when representing NSW under-20s back in 2014. Roberts said he would be happy to meet with Montoya.

“Absolutely, yes, mate,” Roberts said. “I’ve done it before at other clubs and players. I love rugby league and I know we are better than this.

Marcelo Montoya (C) was referred directly to the NRL judiciary over the incident. Picture: NRL Photos

“This can be used as a learning curve as well. We can learn from this. We want all people to be part of our sport, regardless of gender, race and sexuality. You are all included in our sport. This is an opportunity for the NRL to realise they still have work to do.

“I’m not here to pass judgment on what the punishment should be – that’s not my realm, mate. It’s about the game and the club’s inclusion and diversity policies.”

The NRL waited an unprecedented 44 hours to finally lay the charge, a delay which angered Roberts.

“It was clearly audible and my initial response was hoping that the NRL would make a statement ASAP – not about punishing the player but saying this type of thing isn’t accepted and that the league is an inclusive sport,” Roberts said.

“I was just disappointed the league didn’t make a statement sooner instead of leaving it for 48 hours. The game and the clubs needed to say that type of behaviour is not acceptable.

“I was a bit disappointed in the Cowboys because I was their captain and I was made to feel welcome, they were so embracing.

“The game needed to be on to this quicker. I thought we had moved along a bit quicker, that’s all. They could have come out and said they regret the incident that was audible from the game and that we will be chasing it up. It was about acknowledging it and saying we can do better.”

Montoya’s hearing will start at 6pm on Tuesday.

Originally published as NRL 2022 judiciary: Marcelo Montoya suspended for four matches over homophobic slur