A Manly Sea Eagles rugby league player is under investigation after he was allegedly filmed sparking a brawl at a junior representative match over the weekend.
The alleged fight broke out at the SG Ball trial match between South Sydney Rabbitohs and Manly Warringah Sea Eagles at Erskineville Oval on Saturday.
It is alleged the Manly player became involved in a heated confrontation with a spectator before the pair broke out into a fight.
The two men are said to be known to each other, with allegations one of the men was kicked repeatedly in the head while on the ground, spraying blood everywhere.
A NSW Rugby League spokesman has confirmed officials are investigating the incident.
A spokesman from the Manly club also confirmed the alleged incident is being investigated, with the club working with both the NSWRL and South Sydney to consider any “action that may be required”.
It is alleged a Sea Eagles player ran from the bench to the tunnel area and engaged in a heated verbal exchange with Hopoate.
A witness said one of the men involved in the alleged brawl was left with a “ripped shirt and blood everywhere”, while another described it as “sickening”.
Police are believed to have been called to the grounds but both men involved in the fight had left the grounds by the time officers arrived.
A NSWRL spokesman said officials have reviewed the video of the trial match, but it did not contain any vision of the “off-field incident”.
“The information in the initial report indicates the xjmtzywincident was between Manly supporters,” the spokesman said.
“No players who participated in the match were involved in the altercation.”
Sea Eagles officials have spoken to relative parties and have prepared a report for the club’s chief executive Stephen Humphreys.
“The Manly club has been asked to provide NSWRL with a full report of the incident and identify the principal protagonists,” the NSWRL spokesman said.
“After receiving the report the NSWRL will determine if further action is required.
“The NSWRL has a zero-tolerance policy for behaviour that threatens the safety of participants, officials and spectators and incidents like these are contrary to the standards of any community sport.”
