‘How do you come up with this s***?’ Fans blast NRL over Fifita’s non-sanction
David Fifita arrives back into Australia after his arrest in Bali, Brisbane Airport. Photographer: Liam Kidston.Source: News Corp Australia
Outraged rugby league fans have claimed the NRL lacks consistency over David Fifita being cleared after a fracas in Bali.
Some went even further, saying the Brisbane Broncos covered up the incident after the young forward landed himself in jail.
The Queensland Origin representative, 19, was arrested for allegedly assaulting a bouncer in Bali last month.
The forward
spent 72 hours in prison before around $30,000 was paid to his victim and he was released after the arrival of Broncos staffer Adam Walsh in the country.
The Broncos and Fifita have maintained that the boom forward paid it out of his own pocket.
After a lengthy investigation, the
NRL’s CEO Todd Greenberg said they would not hand down a sanction to Fifita.
“It is important that our determinations are based on the evidence before us,” Greenberg said.
“In this case, after analysing a multitude of evidence we cannot say with certainty that a breach has occurred.”
The Broncos,
who sat Payne Haas out for four games in the early part of the season due to him refusing to assist with an Integrity Unit probe, have yet to hand down any punishment, either.
But fans have called foul social media over the lack of sanction.
Many pointed to a similar incident with the
Storm prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona that saw the Kiwi international fined and miss three Tests.
One wrote: “ What an absolute farce the NRL are! They suspend Nelson A Soloma for defending a teammate but find that David Fifita who has no case to answer.
“I won’t even bring up Mitchell. Pearce’s [sic] punishment.
“You’re [sic] a joke Greenberg! Please resign.”
Another supporter posted: “How the hell does David Fifita have no case to answer for being arrested in Bali. The only reason he’s not still there is because he bought his way out.
“Todd Greenberg how do you come up with this s***?”
While one added: “The NRL have completely lost all credibility after this decision.
“The NRL will take no action against David Fifita over his Bali jail stint. He went to jail. Nelson Asofa Solomona protects a mate and doesn’t get arrested. But gets band from playing for NZ.”
Others called out the Broncos, with one fan writing: “We conducted our own internal review and sweep sweep sweep nothing [sic] to see here … now as you were.”
Another said: “Broncos are a protected species.”
While one added: “The longer it dragged on the more this was going to happen. What a joke, right up there with a ring for Barb! Toddy strikes again.”