Banned for assaulting ref

THE Papua New Guinea National Rugby League Competition (PNGNRLC) has handed a five-year ban to Post-Courier stringer David Boli for what it deemed as an assault on a referee after a Digicel Cup match in Goroka.
It was the opening-round fixture between hosts Goroka Lahanis and Hela Wigmen, who won 12-10 at the Sir Danny Leahy Oval.
The competition said its match review committee had deliberated on a complaint about the incident which also involved other individuals. “Upon reviewing the match with reports provided by the match officials on the ground, it is conclusive that Goroka Lahanis player, second-rower Ake Palus, assaulted the match referee, Max Topani, right after fulltime, punching him in the head from the back,” the competition said in a statement.
“Media official for the Lahanis, Yomba Photography, and Post Courier stringer David Boli assaulted the referee right after fulltime by slapping him.”
The committee described the actions as serious in nature which violated the franchise’s participation agreement.
“The committee therefore with the powers bestowed upon them under the competition administration and regulations has resolved to apply the following penalties on the Goroka Lahanis,” the competition said.
“Lahanis player Ake Palus is banned from playing in any PNGNRLC and PNG Rugby Football League-sanctioned matches for the next 10 years, effective (as of) April 26. “Home games in Goroka are suspended indefinitely.
“Media official of the Lahanis, Yomba Photography, and Post Courier freelancer David Boli, are banned from entering any PNGNRLC and PNGRFL-sanctioned games for the next five years, with David Boli’s case to be referred also to the Papua New Guinea Media Council.
“The committee hopes that such incidents do not arise in the future.”