League bans club after fans cause havoc on field

MOTU Koita Rugby League side the Gabi Warriors have been cut from competition after a violent incident last Friday at the Sir Hubert Murray Oval 2 in Konedobu, Port Moresby.
The competition’s management said a formal complaint had been lodged at the Town Police Station after Warriors supporters invaded the field and chased and attacked players of the opposing team.
The MKRLA said the incident happened several minutes before full time in the A Grade game between Warriors and Pari Kidukidu Spartans with the scores at 10-6 in favour of the Warriors.
According to witnesses, Warriors spectators invaded the field of play after a fight broke out among the players.
MKRLA chairman Dai Boe, pictured, said they had no choice but to take a strong stand against violence resulting in the expulsion of the Warriors.
According to the league’s laws and PNGRFL rules and regulations on fan misconduct, the Warriors club was penalised for attacking the opposition players.
Apart from spectator’s misconduct on the field of play, MKRLA identified some Warriors players who also joined the violence.
The incident saw a Warriors supporter chase four Spartans players out of the field with a dangerous weapon (bush knife) which caused havoc and panic among other spectators around the venue premises.
Boe described the incident as a sad day for the league but a shame for all the peace-loving Motu Koitabuans and our rugby league fans.
“This ugly incident which caused so much havoc that day is a reminder to us that some people still don’t know how to behave on a sports field,” Boe said.
“We cannot sit back and allow this animalistic behaviour to intimidate and control us.
“Our stand against sports violence is clear. Violence is not welcome.
“We will do everything in our power to eradicate it, and suppress it, so that it does not happen again.
“This should be a stern warning to the clubs.
“Your affiliation with MKRLA can be affected by what you and your fans do.
“If they cause trouble go beyond what is reasonable then your club will be removed from the competition immediately and blacklisted from further participation in the future.
“We feel it is in the best interests of the majority who are peace loving and I believe a firm decision has to be made now rather than later for everyone’s sake.
“We want to promote rugby league and our competition and good values,” Boe added.
While the Warriors season is over they could still return in the future provided they comply with several conditions set by the league .
The conditions include cooperating with police in their investigation into the incident; ensure the individuals responsible for instigating the violence are handed over to the authorities; and pay a K1000 fine to the league.