Pair of off-duty police officers banned from NRL games after referee incident

Two off-duty police officers have been banned from attending any NRL matches in New South Wales after a disgraceful incident.

Referee Ashley Klein signals during the round seven NRL match between Sydney Roosters and Melbourne Storm at Allianz Stadium on April 18, 2024, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Two off-duty police officers have been banned from attending any NRL matches in New South Wales stemming from an incident involving referee Ashley Klein at a Roosters home game in April.

According to The Daily Telegraph, a projectile was thrown towards Klein and other match officials as they walked off the ground following the Storm’s 18-12 win over the Roosters at Allianz Stadium in Moore Park.

Thankfully, no one was struck by the object.

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A Venues NSW spokesman said that three people had been banned from their stadiums for up to 24 months, which include grounds such as Allianz, Accor Stadium and CommBank Stadium.

Referee Ashley Klein had a projectile thrown towards him. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

It is believed two of the three are police officers who were off duty on the night in question.

“NSW police are aware of an incident on Thursday 18 April at a sporting venue in Moore Park, involving two off duty NSW police officers,” a police spokesman told The Daily Telegraph.

“An internal investigation has commenced into the conduct of the involved officers.”

This incident isn’t the only controversial moment among spectators at Allianz this season.

Four people were banned from the stadium for two years with one person charged with affray following an ugly brawl during the Round 4 clash between the Roosters and Rabbitohs.

An ugly brawl erupted in the members area of Allianz Stadium during the Round 3 NRL match between the Sydney Roosters and South Sydney Rabbitohs.

It’s not the first brawl to unfold between fans with a similar incident taking place during the round 8 clash between the Wests Tigers and Brisbane Broncos.

Three fans were arrested and charged after ugly scenes broke out in the stands at Campbelltown Stadium.

The incident took place shortly after 5pm as the Brisbane Broncos secured the 34-10 win over the Wests Tigers.

Fan filmed footage shows a handful of fans pushing and shoving over a temporary fence setup on the northern hill area.

A man in a black shirt then attempts to walk up the steps to confront the men before he is stopped by a security guard.

He then appears to throw a headbutt at the security guard in an attempt to get him off him before he is taken to the ground.

Originally published as Pair of off-duty police officers banned from NRL games after referee incident