Super League star Corey Norman has been handed an eight-match ban after it was found he "intentionally placed a hand between the buttocks of an opposing player".
Footage showed the 31-year-old former National Rugby League and Queensland State of Origin player reaching between the legs of an opponent, resulting in a lengthy ban and a £500 fine for the Grade F charge of "other contrary behaviour", the highest possible grade which carries a suspension of at least eight matches.
Norman enjoyed an 11-year career in Australia and New Zealand's NRL, and came out of retirement to sign for Toulouse Olympique and play in the Super League but this incident is a blight on his twilight rugby years. The act occurred in a match between Toulouse and Warrington last Thursday, when Norman stuck his fingers up the backside of Wolves second-row Oliver Holmes.
Norman pleaded not guilty but the RFL said the chair of the tribunal Sarah Wright and two side members – both former players – were “entirely satisfied” his act was intentional. “The footage of the incident shows a deliberate movement of Corey Norman’s left arm and hand over the top of Oliver Holmes and on to his buttocks,” the ruling said.
“At no point does the footage show a grabbing of the shorts to push Oliver Holmes down as described by Corey Norman. The footage shows a deliberate placing of Corey Norman's hands and fingers on the buttocks and coupled with the immediate complaint from Holmes, the reaction of his team-mate Danny Walker and the statement of Holmes to which we have measured regard we are entirely satisfied that this was an intentional placing of a hand between the buttocks of the opposing player and we find the charge proved."
Holmes had complained immediately after the act and the tribunal said his statement was also considered in proving the charge.
Norman, who has started all 11 matches since making his Super League debut in May, will miss the next four games of Toulouse's season and if his contract with them is not renewed his ban will extend into next year with any potential new club.
A clip of the incident has since been posted to TikTok, where it has garnered 170,000 views in one day.
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