One police officer sacked but another escapes with a sanction after NRL incident

One police officer has been sacked and now his father – a senior police officer – has learnt his fate after a projectile was launched at NRL referees during a game.

Referee Ashley Klein (centre) before the Roosters v Storm game in April. NRL Imagery

A senior police officer has been reprimanded but will keep his job after his son also a police officer – was sacked following a horror night at the footy for the family members in April.

The senior officer had been under investigation for two months following an incident at a Roosters and Melbourne clash which resulted in the two police officers allegedly involved in an incident with NRL match officials as they left the field.

Police confirmed the officer had been sanctioned.

“An officer was issued an infringement notice following an investigation into an incident involving two off duty police officers on Thursday April 18, at a football match in Moore Park,” a police spokeswoman said.

“The probationary constable was dismissed from the NSW Police. An internal investigation into the incident has been finalised.”

The Sydney Roosters and Melbourne Storm played at Allianz Stadium on April 18, 2024. Picture: Getty Images

The probationary constable was sacked in June as police continued to investigate the allegations against his father.

It is understood he was terminated after throwing a projectile towards an NRL referee at the match at Allianz Stadium.

Veteran referee Ashley Klein – who will take charge of Wednesday’s State of Origin decider in Brisbane – controlled the game. Klein nor any of his fellow match officials were hit by any objects and left the venue uninjured.

The match was overshadowed by contentious bunker rulings.

The father and son – as well as a third person – remain banned from attending sporting matching or events at any Venues NSW ground for up to two years.

Venues NSW control the best stadiums across the state including Allianz Stadium, Sydney Cricket Ground, Accor Stadium, CommBank Stadium, WIN Stadium and McDonald Jones Stadium.

The NRL have also issued ban notices to the two officers which would forbid them from attending any matches at any venue across the country.

A Venues NSW spokesman confirmed in May that the trio had been banned for “offensive behaviour”.

A masking-taped ball-like object was thrown towards Melbourne player Tyran Wishart and narrowly missed him as he lined up a conversion attempt during Melbourne’s win against Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval last Saturday.

There was also an incident at a Newcastle match earlier this season with inconclusive footage of the perpetrator.

Originally published as One police officer sacked but another escapes with a sanction after NRL incident