Board to meet on Eagles

THE Papua New Guinea National Rugby League board will meet on Friday to decide the fate of Hagen Eagles trainer Stanley Akinu, as well as that of the franchise, after last weekend’s violent ending to the Digicel Cup preliminary final against the Agmark Gurias.
PNG Rugby Football League chairman Sandis Tsaka said the PNG NRL board had recieved reports from the relevant parties involved in the incident.
“We’re working with the PNG NRL to deal with the situation. They have recieved complete reports from the referee and match officials, both teams, the match organisers and the Digicel Cup judiciary and will meet on Friday to make a decision on the penalties,” Tsaka said.
“We have to realise the enormity of the situation and its far-reaching implications. The PNG NRL can take action only on matters that involve their own competition, and that is why we are working together to come up with the best solution to give confidence to the game’s stakeholders here and abroad.”
Tsaka said any sanction imposed on Akinu and the Eagles would have to be backed by the PNGRFL in order for it to have full effect – so if Akinu, for example, was banned from involvement with the Digicel Cup for a year, that ban would also extend to PNGRFL competitions/activities/positions as well.
He said a “collective response” was neccessary to send a message to the franchises and anyone affiliated with both bodies. Meanwhile, National Capital District and Central Police Commander Sylvester Kalaut yesterday confirmed that Akinu was charged with the additional offence of inciting the crowd on top of his assault charge. Akinu was initially charged with assault after he chased and punched Digicel Cup referee Aaron Henry at the Sir John Guise Stadium in Port Moresby on Saturday after Eagles lost 12-19 to the Gurias. He was handed over to the police the following day. Kalaut said Akinu was detained at the Waigani Police Station on Sunday but released on bail yesterday and his case was now before the court.