NRL stands down Bronco
Pangai Jnr fined $30,000 for COVID-19 breach
BRONCOS star Tevita Pangai Junior has been stood down indefinitely by the NRL and has been fined $30,000 for breaching strict COVID-19 rules.
The 24-year-old was issued with a breach notice which alleges he breached the COVID-19 protocols numerous times.
Pangai Jnr will now be excluded from the Broncos’ bubble until the NRL is “satisfied that they will comply with the protocols”.
Interim NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said the decision Pangai Jnr made showed a “disregard for the league’s rules”.
“We believe this was a case of a player committing multiple contraventions of the protocols and showing a disregard for the league’s rules,’’ he said in a statement.
“We will do everything we can to protect our season. Players or officials who show they are unable to comply with the biosecurity protocols will be removed from club bubbles until we are satisfied that they will comply with the protocols. We believe in this case, Tevita has not been able to do that.
“This decision protects the health of our playing squads and most importantly the general community.
“I want to reiterate that the overwhelming majority of players and officials are doing the right thing and we thank them for that. Where there are breaches of protocols we will take immediate action to ensure no risk of infection.”
It comes after reports the 24-year-old was set to have his $650,000-a-season contract ripped up after new details from CCTV footage of his bubble breach emerged.
The Tongan international was placed on a 14-day ‘COVID Hold’ after attending the opening of a Brisbane barbershop last Saturday, which breached the NRL’s biosecurity protocols. The barbershop, which allegedly has links to the Mongols bikie gang, was raided by police on Saturday.
Reports suggest the Broncos have lost patience with Pangai Jnr, who has been suspended for 14 of his last 38 games for the club.
He is understood to have no connection with any alleged criminal activity that led police to raid the barbershop.
However, the Broncos board could use this latest misdemeanour to sever ties with the player who is in the first season of a three-year contract extension signed last season.