NRL investigates Warriors over verbal abuse

ALLEGATION DENIED: Warriors assistant coach Tony Iro.

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The NRL are awaiting a referee’s report regarding allegations that trainers from Zealand Warriors abused match officials during last Friday’s clash with the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium before deciding whether the club will be sanctioned.

An NRL spokesman said the organisation’s football operations department would rule on the alleged incident once it reviewed a report from the lead match referee Ben Cummins. It can issue a breach notice and impose fine.

During the first half of the match, won by the Broncos 10-8, Cummins was heard telling colleague Chris James: “Kevin Iro and that bloke in yellow just gave us a gobful”.

After the match Tony Iro, who was mistakenly identified as his younger brother, denied he had made derogatory comments towards the referees.

The Warriors assistant coach, who acts as a runner during the games, said: “I didn't say anything to him. I don't know if he heard the players or me barking at the players but I didn't say anything to him.”

Cummins reported the incident to NRL officials at halftime and a report should be provided to the football operations department by the end of the week.

- © Fairfax NZ News