CARNEY COPS 8 GAME BAN
Salford ace admits racial abuse
JUSTIN CARNEY was banned for eight matches last night for racially abusing an opponent.
The Salford winger pleaded guilty to the offence but a disciplinary hearing took almost three hours to decide his sentence. Carney and his QC had argued that he didn’t deserve a hefty eight games as recommended under the Grade F offence. But after lengthy debate the panel ruled that he had to serve the full term. The match he missed last weekend – when Salford stood him down until the disciplinary hearing – will count towards the ban. Carney was sent off in the Challenge Cup fifth-round win over Toronto after shouting abuse at Ryan Bailey.
Hefty
The Wolfpack player was clearly incensed by the comment but, it is understood, chose not to give evidence at the hearing. A Salford club statement said last night: “Whilst Justin has admitted using the offending words in an abusive manner, he did not intend his words to be taken in a ‘racial’ context. “Justin is an indigenous Australian and is proud of his Aboriginal heritage. He stands firm on the position that he is not nor has he ever been a racist.” Meanwhile, Sika Manu has paid a hefty price for his ‘chicken wing’ tackle on Ryan Atkins. The Hull back-rower had lost the chance to captain Tonga after being charged with the dangerous tackle. And last night he also copped a two-match ban and a £300 fine. Manu pleaded guilty to the tackle on Atkins in last Friday’s 34-10 win over Warrington. He will miss the Super League game at Widnes on Sunday and the cup clash against Catalans.