Warriors winger Marcelo Montoya has been banned by the NRL judiciary for using a homophobic slur during a game.
The judiciary has banned Montoya for four games.
He was charged with contrary conduct for directing a homophobic remark at Cowboys player Kyle Feldt on Friday night.
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The match review committee referred Montoya directly to the judiciary, where the panel took an hour and a half to reach their decision on Tuesday night.
Following the decision, NRL boss Andrew Abdo released a statement.
“Rugby league is a game for everyone, that’s what I love most about our game. I’m proud that we bring people together,” Abdo said.
“It doesn’t matter where you are born, your gender or sexual orientation – rugby league is for everyone.
“That’s why Indigenous Round, Women In League Round, Multicultural Round and participating in the Mardi Gras every year are so important to us. These events represent and celebrate who we are and what we stand for.
“The homophobic language used in Friday night’s game between the Warriors and the Cowboys was unacceptable. It will not be tolerated.
“I’d like to acknowledge Marcelo Montoya for accepting responsibility for his actions and his genuine remorse. Marcelo made a poor mistake and he will learn from this experience.
“This is a reminder to all players that the game will not tolerate such conduct.”
Montoya apologised through a public statement on Sunday, almost 48 hours after the offensive remark was captured during the game’s broadcast.
Feldt was lying on the field injured when Montoya’s homophobic slur was heard being yelled.
“Both Marcelo and the club are extremely apologetic for the offence this has caused. It was unacceptable,” Warriors CEO Cameron George said.
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“Marcelo accepts responsibility and knows there’s no place for such behaviour both in the game and in society generally.”
On Monday, Ian Roberts – rugby league’s first openly gay professional player in Australia – explained to the Sydney Morning Herald why the response from the Warriors and the NRL wasn’t good enough.
“I understand things are said in the heat of the moment, but there needed to be a quicker response from the clubs and the NRL,” Roberts said.
“To leave it for two days… what was said was very audible over the telecast.
“I don’t care if someone calls me ‘f—-t’, but I’ve said it so many times, there are people out in the suburbs and regional areas who are really struggling with their sexual identity, and those comments have consequences.
“What the soccer did with (the A-League’s first openly gay player) Josh Cavallo at the start of the year, the crowd attacked Josh with homophobic slurs, but they came out the next day and said they would not tolerate such behaviour.
“By doing so they embraced the LGBTIQA+ community. That’s what disappointed me with the league. Had they made statements straight away, that to me is embracing inclusion.”
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