Corey Norman's time with Toulouse Olympique could be over after he was banned for eight games after he 'intentionally placing a hand between the buttocks of an opposing player'.
Footage showed stand-off Norman, 31, committing the unnecessary act during Toulouse's 32-18 Super League defeat to Warrington Wolves on Thursday (Aug. 11). The Australian tackled Warrington's Oliver Holmes but proceeds to reach over his opponent's back in an attempt to reach his rear.
Norman can be seen smiling as he emerged from the breakdown, appearing to offer a hand to Holmes in recompense. The former pleaded not guilty at a disciplinary hearing but was found guilty of the Grade F charge concerning 'Other Contrary Behaviour'.
The tribunal was chaired by Her Honour Justice Sarah Wright, who said the panel was 'entirely satisfied' Norman's actions were deliberate. In addition to his ban, the former Parramatta Eels and St. George Illawarra hit has been served a £500 fine.
“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,” read the ruling, published on the Rugby Football League website. “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.”
The eight-game suspension means Norman will miss Toulouse's end-of-season push against relegation—unless he manages to succeed with an appeal. The French outfit are currently four points adrift at the base of the Super League table with only four games to play.
Not only that, but the punishment could mean the end of Norman's rugby league career for a second time. The Brisbane-born playmaker came out of retirement to join Toulouse on a short-term deal earlier in 2022.
Norman played 11 years in the National Rugby League (NRL) and initially headed for the sport's exit after leaving the Dragons last year. The veteran was previously stood down by Parramatta in 2016 after being 'caught with capsules of MDMA' and 'filming a sex tape'.
