NRL: More needs to be done after Addin Fonua-Blake spray

Addin Fonua-Blake apologised for his vile outburst at the referee, but he’s facing an even heavier sanction after new details came to light.

Ben Ikin wants to game to come out and explain why the sledge was so offensive.

Addin Fonua-Blake’s second vulgar sledge towards referee Grant Atkins in Newcastle’s two-point win over Manly over Sunday has been revealed.

The Sea Eagles prop accepted a two-game ban for calling Atkins a “f***ing retard” during the heated final moments of the clash after Manly was controversially denied a penalty that would have given it the chance to kick a goal and send the match into golden point extra time.

Kayo is your ticket to the 2020 NRL Telstra Premiership. Every game of every round Live & On-Demand with no-ad breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >

Fonua-Blake was sent off and later apologised for his outburst, but it’s now been revealed he reportedly continued his abuse as he made his way down the players’ tunnel at Lottoland.

Broadcaster Ray Hadley made the allegation after the official referees report was leaked to his radio station 2GB.

Hadley said Fonua-Blake was accused of saying: “Are your eyes f***ing painted on you bunch of spastics?”

According to Channel 9 reporter Danny Weidler, the NRL are planning to take further action because of the fresh claims.

“NRL have contacted Manly and want to take the Addin Fonua-Blake matter further after Ray Hadley’s revelation of a second disgusting outburst,” Weidler tweeted. “Be sure the heads of the game Peter V’landys and Andrew Abdo are fuming.”

Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) chairman Peter V’landys told the Sydney Morning Herald Fonua-Blake’s behaviour was “inexcusable”.

“They have a non-negotiable duty. A young kid would’ve watched that and gone to school and abused a kid who is disadvantaged. To me, that’s intolerable,” V’landys said.

“We’re not going lightly on it. If we do, as a commission, we might as well walk away.”

Fonua-Blake apologised to Atkins after full-time and in a statement said: “I should not have let my emotions get the better of me and I am very sorry for the comments I made.

“I’d also like to offer my sincere apology to anyone offended by the regrettable language that I used.”

Addin Fonua-Blake protests with the referee

SLEDGE EXPOSES BIGGER PROBLEM

Fonua-Blake was sent off for his initial spray but former Queensland Origin great Ben Ikin believes a suspension and apology can’t be the end of the story.

After being contacted by people who found the insult highly offensive, Ikin is adamant the game as a whole needs to explain why what the Manly star said was so wrong — taking the incident further than simply a case of abusing an official.

“I had people close to me in the last 24 hours remind me the use of this word is so highly offensive to people living with disabilities,” Ikin said NRL 360.

“To see the fact that this was not acknowledged — not by the player, not by the club, nor by the NRL — I think is an issue that needs to be addressed in the next couple of days.

“When it was first put up to me it reminded me, but I think it’s beholden on the game now — the player, the club, the governing body to make sure that’s addressed in the next couple of days.

“When you include the gravity of the language used, I think the game needs to send a message.”

Penrith great Mark Geyer also said education was the key to making people aware how hurtful Fonua-Blake’s words were.

“Let’s educate guys like Addin Fonua-Blake in saying that word,” Geyer said on the Triple M Rush Hour with MG.

“The word retard is a really derogatory word for people with disabilities and it’s all about education.

“We’ve got to make an example of him as well.”

Ikin’s NRL 360 co-host Paul Kent said Fonua-Blake should be spending more time on the sidelines, believing he got off too lightly given his choice of words.