Lae league qualifying finals
spoilt by drunk spectators
LAE rugby league executives and
officials are concerned that drunken supporters of minor premier
Wio Kin Kamkumung Crushers threatened the referees and match
committees during the major qualifying finals between Crushers
and 14B Pirates over the weekend.
Crushers won 12-6 to book the grand final spot this weekend.
LRL president and Disciplinary Committee Chairman Russ Kaupa
said yesterday that it was a “disgrace” for the Crushers as a
minor premier to act foolishly during the match.
Kaupa claimed the supporters had smuggled liquor onto the field
and drank at the grandstand on Sunday and Saturday during their
premier and reserve grades games respectively.
“It’s a big disgrace to see whole Kamkumung settlers and
supporters smuggled beer (liquor) outside and drank at the grand
stand. Liquor is restricted and can be only consumed
professionally at the official club house and not outside
anywhere (at the field) as they wish”, Kaupa said.
“There is no respect for the authorities”.
Kaupa claimed the spectators were acting in front of their major
sponsosr and other local sponsors and fans and followers.
He said behaviours shown by the Crushers were very rude and
unacceptable to the public in the best interest of the game.
LRL was spectator violence free this year and this was the first
time which had painted the bad picture, he said.
LRL Judiciary committee chairman Ben Jeremiah added that such
drunken behaviors and spectators misconduct is totally banned
from both on and off the field.
He said normal rules would be applied to the Crushers which
included paying a fine of K250 for the first incident and
further they would be disciplined.
Under the Section 19 of sub-section (3) of spectators’
misconduct, Crushers will have to pay K250 fine before their
next game (grand final) next week.
If they commit the similar offences for the second time, future
of the club would be affected - possibly severe penalties would
be imposed based on the PNRFL’s code of conduct.
Crushers’ major sponsor Wilson Pesh was disappointed on Sunday
over the reports but could not be reached for comment yesterday.
