Meninga to face defamation action in Supreme Court
By Ian McCullough, 16 Jul 2011
- Tagged:
- Mal Meninga, NRL, NSW Blues, Queensland Maroons, Rugby League, State Of Origin
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Mal Meninga’s stunning rant against NSW powerbrokers and the NRL match review committee (MRC) is set for the courts after defamation proceedings were issued against the Queensland State of Origin coach.
The action against Meninga and Queensland newspapers was taken by MRC members Greg McCallum, Bradley Clyde and Peter Louis and has been backed by the NRL and its chief executive David Gallop.
Meninga was given until 5pm (AEST) on Thursday to apologise for his explosive comments, where he wrote that the series win by his side was “a victory against the very rats and filth that tried to poison a monumental team with lies, personal attacks, arrogance and disrespect”.
He also suggested the MRC was part of a conspiracy against the Maroons after Johnathan Thurston and David Taylor both appeared before them during the Origin series, with Taylor being slapped with a five-game ban for a dangerous tackle.
However, the 51-year refused to back down from his statements, and on Friday afternoon the NRL released a statement confirming a claim had been filed with the Supreme Court of NSW on behalf of the committee, after attempts to find an alternative resolution proved unsuccessful.
“The NRL will support the match review committee’s proceedings at least until such time as the offending statements made in relation to them are withdrawn and an apology is issued,” the statement read.
Gallop said Meninga’s statements were offensive to individuals who carry out important roles in the game and had complete integrity.
“This has nothing to do with interstate rivalry or a person’s right to challenge a decision but it has everything to do with the fact that there are laws against falsely attacking a person’s good name and reputation,” Gallop said.
“Had it involved an NRL coach it would certainly have resulted in a substantial fine which may have in some way lessened the need for independent legal action from the parties involved.
“In any case it remains our responsibility to assist in protecting those people who carry out important roles for the game from baseless allegations of bias or corruption.
“The members of the match review committee are entitled to defend themselves in such a situation and are entitled to expect that the game will offer them support in the process.”
NSW coach Ricky Stuart urged Meninga to apologise and stop the issue going before the courts.
“For Mal’s sake and for the sake of the game, I hope this can be sorted before it reaches the Supreme Court,” Stuart told the Ten Network.
NRL insiders say Clyde, McCallum and Louis are not seeking financial gain from Meninga but only wish to have their names cleared with an apology.
Calls made to Meninga and his manager Jim Banaghan by AAP on Friday evening were not returned.
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- Explore:
- Mal Meninga, NRL, NSW Blues, Queensland Maroons, Rugby League, State Of Origin
July 16th 2011 @ 8:28am
Stu said | July 16th 2011 @ 8:28am | Report comment
Ok Bligh, add a Mal tax to QLDers. I’m pretty sure most of the state will be happy to pay it.
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July 16th 2011 @ 8:39am
sheek said | July 16th 2011 @ 8:39am | Report comment
I think this is terrific news. Meninga might be a rugby league legend, but he is also an obnoxious, spoilt brat. Emphasis on brat, as in extremely childish.
The whole state of origin experience is rapidly descending into comic farce. Years ago when the y started calling each other “cockroaches” & canetoads”, it was amusing, but somehow people have lost the ability to poke fun at each other.
Going by channel nine’s match promotions, you could be forgiven for thinking the fate of the entire world depended on 3 lousy games between two Australian states.
State of origin is NOT the centre of the universe, & it’s about time some folk in rugby league realised this. Whether or not the negative publicity from this court case will help people to pull their heads in, remains to be seen.
July 16th 2011 @ 8:53am
oikee said | July 16th 2011 @ 8:53am | Report comment
Bring it on. I hope Mal sorts out this whole dirty drama once and for all. NSW has had a free run for long enough. Time the game had a shake-up, this will just fuel the passion of queenslanders even more, be lucky if nswelshmen make it past the border alive. grrrr
Next years series will be the biggest in origin history.
July 16th 2011 @ 9:01am
Stu said | July 16th 2011 @ 9:01am | Report comment
The magnificent seven has a nice ring to it.
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July 16th 2011 @ 9:31am
jojo said | July 16th 2011 @ 9:31am | Report comment
To me Mal stepped over the line. the MRC has all the right to demand an apology. He has thrown around corruption allegations and ridicolous rants for long enough. He should stick to commenting just what goes on the field.
I dont see how anybody could be on Mal side in this, and anybody could get a defamation charge for saying what he did. welcome to the real world Mal.
July 16th 2011 @ 12:00pm
Damo said | July 16th 2011 @ 12:00pm | Report comment
So State of Origin goes from the field to the court of law. The might Maroons will win that too!
July 16th 2011 @ 12:23pm
Droppa said | July 16th 2011 @ 12:23pm | Report comment
This is just plain stupid.
Mal say your sorry & the NSW “Powerbrokers” should stop being such a bunch of sooks
Its just footy after all,its not as if its important.
July 16th 2011 @ 1:45pm
meninga must pay said | July 16th 2011 @ 1:45pm | Report comment
Mal and his QLD supporters are due to have some pain. I have read certain commentators okee etc, and his the blast. . When Mals court date comes up, the creditability of Meninga will come up, which would include why he had a luncheon with his convicted and sentence rapist/murderous brother Bevan. Thats what happens when you go to court, You can assure yourself that Kennedy’s lawyers will know this information as I am going to write to them to give them the Mal,Bevan out of jail luncheon, seems like you dont pay much for rape and murder in QLD, maybe w should seek the opinion of Mal as to his views on capital punishment, cause he sure wouldn’t like mind.
July 16th 2011 @ 2:09pm
Gaz said | July 16th 2011 @ 2:09pm | Report comment
Sheek says:
State of origin is NOT the centre of the universe.
I have to agree Sheek, it’s far far more important then that.
Obviously you’re not a League supporter so I wouldn’t expect anything less however it does appear to be getting under your skin a bit.
Regardless of what side of the border we’re from we just lap it up and love it.
Can’t wait for next year Go QLD Go NSW, let’s have a ball – right Sheek?
lol
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July 16th 2011 @ 5:53pm
sheek said | July 16th 2011 @ 5:53pm | Report comment
Gaz,
While rugby union is my preferred football code (& there are many times I wonder why), I happen to like ALL the football codes. Yes, I enjoy watching rugby league.
But I don’t watch any footy code through rose-coloured glasses. If a sport sucks for a particular type of behaviour, I say so.
Where did this attitude spring from that if you love something you can’t criticize it. Whatever happened to constructive criticism?
You’re going to tell me the whole state of origin promotion thing hasn’t turned into farce? This is precisely an example of it!
Please tell me the nanny state isn’t here already??
And no, it’s not getting under my skin, it’s just a slow Saturday…..
July 16th 2011 @ 5:57pm
sheek said | July 16th 2011 @ 5:57pm | Report comment
And Gaz,
Todd Slater below adds another blow to the whole farce – since when does anybody take seriously anything Phil Rothfield says…..?????
July 16th 2011 @ 3:31pm
Todd Slater said | July 16th 2011 @ 3:31pm | Report comment
Wasn’t it Phil Rothfield from the the daily terror who wrote the original piece that Mal wasn’t the coach ?
He seems to be blameless in this
What has Mal really done wrong ? Seriously ?
Oh for the days of Bozo & his cement truck parked outside Brookvale Oval….!
It seems many in the nrl simply can’t handle the truth & are not man enough to confront it.
Why do we have to involve lawyers every time someone says something ?
July 17th 2011 @ 11:39am
Gaz said | July 17th 2011 @ 11:39am | Report comment
Todd,
I guess while Mal is talking to his legal team he would be remiss not to ask the question about this dipswitch Rothfield. but I guess members of the press have certain privilages that you and I don’t have to critisize others without rebutment.
I see in his column he can’t help himself and is again attacking the Queensland supporters – oh well if you’re on a good thing stick with it I suppose. What this “gentlemen” has failed to understand, the supporters weren’t really booing Gallen or the NSW team they publicly espousing there frustration with the NRL – (pseudo national administration) – the so called judiciary and RStuart’s ravings and rantings during the leadup to the games.
Until the judiciary shows or appears to show some balanced decisions with favour to other than Sydney based teams the Queensland and indeed non Sydney supporters will always harbour resentment and hold conspiracy theories to whoever ajudicate dfifferently on the same supposed infringements.
Most understand that infringements during a SOO game are often overlooked in comparison to ordinary club games also charges such as the Hayne headbutt and Uate tackle, unfortunately they appear to always favour the southern team.
What doesn’t Gallop and the judiciary understand about the frustrations this causes not only the teams affectede but also their supporters. The system is completely wrong and needs to be fixed before it affects this years leadup to the finals for the sake of all non Sydney teams – doesn’t Mr Bellamy.