The National Rugby League has determined that there is insufficient evidence with which to further pursue claims of a racial slur arising from an on-field claim by Wests Tigers captain Robbie Farah during the Preliminary Final match against St George Illawarra.
An allegation was made by Robbie during the match but both he and the Wests Tigers refused to make a formal complaint in relation to the matter either on or off the field.
“The NRL has since looked at every aspect of this issue and received statements from the St George Illawarra club in which Dean Young has strongly denied the claims,” NRL Chief Operating Officer Graham Annesley said today.
“We have determined that there remains insufficient evidence to take any further action in relation to this matter.
“The fact that the NRL has investigated the matter as thoroughly as it has should serve as a reminder to all parties that we will continue to maintain a strong stance against vilification of any kind.
“It is not something that will be dismissed as the ‘heat of the moment’ on the field or ‘left alone’ simply because a player does not wish to go through a formal complaints process.
“This is an important issue and we make no apology for investigating matters even in the absence of a complaint.
“We can, however, only act where there is sufficient information to take action and it would seem we do not have that in this case.”
An allegation was made by Robbie during the match but both he and the Wests Tigers refused to make a formal complaint in relation to the matter either on or off the field.
“The NRL has since looked at every aspect of this issue and received statements from the St George Illawarra club in which Dean Young has strongly denied the claims,” NRL Chief Operating Officer Graham Annesley said today.
“We have determined that there remains insufficient evidence to take any further action in relation to this matter.
“The fact that the NRL has investigated the matter as thoroughly as it has should serve as a reminder to all parties that we will continue to maintain a strong stance against vilification of any kind.
“It is not something that will be dismissed as the ‘heat of the moment’ on the field or ‘left alone’ simply because a player does not wish to go through a formal complaints process.
“This is an important issue and we make no apology for investigating matters even in the absence of a complaint.
“We can, however, only act where there is sufficient information to take action and it would seem we do not have that in this case.”
