Innisfail players banned for racist slurs

RUGBY LEAGUE RACIST remarks have attracted bans extending into and beyond next season for two Innisfail Brothers reserve grade players.

Marcus Sagiba and Michael Morton were reported for comments directed at officials after full-time in Innisfail’s preliminary final loss to Yarrabah. Sagiba was suspended until December 31, 2018 based on evidence in the referee’s report presented to the CDRL judiciary tribunal.

It stated the player racially vilified, used obscene language, threatened and called the referee a “cheat” after the match.

Michael Morton was also reported for racial vilification and other obscene language towards the referee and was suspended until July 31, 2018, making him eligible to play until the end of next season.

CDRL secretary Pat Bailey said there was no excuse for racism in “the heat of the moment” and was confident the punishments sent a message about the code’s strong antiracism stance.

“Racial vilification is the worst thing that can happen on any sports field,” she said.

“This was directed straight at the official among other not so nice remarks and things like that need to be dealt with.”

Two players will face the judiciary next week after grand final incidents, which are not racism-related.

It has been confirmed Innisfail’s Adam Fichera (dissent, contrary conduct) and Yarrabah’s Sam Bann (high tackles) will front the three-man panel on Tuesday night rather than Monday as initially announced.

Yarrabah defeated Innisfail 31-22 in the A-grade grand final.

RACIAL VILIFICATION IS THE WORST THING THAT CAN HAPPEN ON ANY SPORTS FIELD. THIS WAS DIRECTED STRAIGHT AT THE OFFICIAL ... AND THINGS LIKE THAT NEED TO BE DEALT WITH.