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NRL investigating Panthers over premiership trophy photo

The NRL is reportedly furious after photos emerged from inside the Panthers’ grand final party showing changes to the iconic premiership trophy.

They Clearys with the NRL premiership tophy. Picture by NRL IMAGES.
They Clearys with the NRL premiership tophy. Picture by NRL IMAGES.

The NRL is investigating photos from inside the Panthers’ wild grand final celebrations which appear to show the premiership trophy has been broken.

The Panthers are now facing potential sanctions with the team’s tumultuous week of celebrations yet again causing controversy.

Photos posted on social media show the iconic Provan-Summons trophy — which immortalises the famous image of Norm Provan and Arthur Summons together — appearing to have been destroyed into separate pieces.

As first reported byThe Daily Telegraph, the NRL is aware of the images and have asked the club to for an explanation as part of its investigation.

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The photos show the centrepiece of the trophy has been separated from the base and surrounding wreath.

The NRL premiership trophy was pictured inside a child-carrying harness. Source Instagram
The NRL premiership trophy was pictured inside a child-carrying harness. Source Instagram
The NRL is trophy appears to be broken. Source Instagram.
The NRL is trophy appears to be broken. Source Instagram.

The images swirling on social media also show the trophy being treated as a baby with the bronzed artwork being carried around in a stroller in one image.

AAP reports NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo has been upset with the team’s behaviour and its reatment of the revered trophy.

The report claims the Panthers could be forced to foot the bill of any repairs needed to be made to the trophy, estimated to be worth around $300,000.

It is just one of many social media scandals that have erupted this week following the team’s win over South Sydney on Sunday night.

Controversial star Tyrone May was filmed using an offensive slur during teammate Viliame Kikau’s Instagram live Q+A.

May has had a tumultuous week following Penrith’s grand final win on Sunday night, having earlier attracted a backlash surrounding a deleted Instagram caption that appeared to reference his sex tape scandal.

Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo lifted the trophy just five days ago. Pics Adam Head.
Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo lifted the trophy just five days ago. Pics Adam Head.

Rumours have also spread this week that May is in a romantic relationship with Panthers coach Ivan Cleary’s daughter Indi. after the pair were seen together in images they shared on Instagram.

Kikau has also come under fire for appearing to mock the Rabbitohs by singing the club’s ‘Glory, glory to South Sydney’ song

Kikau’s live video showed May approaching the camera alongside Kikau before saying: “I don’t give a f***. F*** every motherf***er, n***er”.

Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/panthers/nrl-investigating-panthers-over-premiership-trophy-photo/news-story/1ba41d76ea9ea0121f4fac70dac3668f