The NRL has handed down the first ever suspension to a coach, slapping Ricky Stuart with a one-game ban.
Stuart will be forced to sit out this week’s round 22 clash with St George Illawarra, and will be unable to communicate with his team.
He has also been fined $25,000. He has five business days to respond to the breach notice, but the Raiders announced he and the club accept the sanctions.
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The punishment is for the coach labeling Penrith playmaker Jaeman Salmon a “weak gutted dog person” in his post-match press conference on Saturday.
The one-week suspension means as of Tuesday afternoon until next Wednesday, Stuart is not allowed to enter Raiders facilities, attend any type of training session or provide any coaching.
Those duties will be handed over to his three assistants.
He will not be allowed to communicate with his staff or players until Wednesday week.
Stuart used his public press conference to launch a stunning personal attack on 23-year-old Salmon, with whom it was later revealed the Raiders coach has personal history dating back to 2010.
“Leaders need to set the standard in the game. The comments are completely unacceptable from any individual let alone an official of such experience and standing.” NRL chief Andrew Abdo said.
“This is a highly unusual case, and we have taken the significant step of proposing a suspension from his duties for one week. This will be a full suspension precluding Ricky from having any involvement with any club activity either in person or remotely. Furthermore, the fine must not be paid by the club but by Ricky himself.”
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