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Lebanon captain Robbie Farah has refused to back down from biting allegations levelled at England winger Jermaine McGillvary in the Cedars’ 29-10 Rugby League World Cup loss in Sydney.
In the second biting controversy in as many weeks, McGillvary was placed on report in the 42nd minute after Farah made an official complaint to referee Ben Thaler.
It followed Wales forward Ben Evans making the same claim against PNG prop Wellington Albert after their Cup opener in Port Moresby.
Evans later tried to withdraw the complaint, eventually resulting in no charges being laid.
Asked if he wanted to withdraw his claim, Farah declined before being cut off by Lebanon coach Brad Fittler at the post-match press conference.
“It’s in the hands of the match review committee now and we’d rather not talk about it,” Fittler said.
Farah claimed he was bitten while he tackled the England winger early in the second half.
The Cedars skipper reacted after the tackle, sparking a player melee.
Farah then kept arguing with McGillvary as referee Thaler gathered an official to photograph the alleged bite mark and placed the England winger on report.
“He choked me,” McGillvary could be heard saying.
Farah interjected: “It doesn’t matter, you don’t bite, mate – look at my arm”.
Farah did not want to elaborate on the incident after the match.
But when pressed, Farah said: “Things happen in a split second on the field and you react.
“I made the complaint on the field and I’ll leave it at that.
“I don’t think I need to say much else. There was a bit of footage there. It was pretty clear.”
Farah hoped the match would be remembered for Lebanon’s gutsy display against world No.3 England.
World No.18 Lebanon, boasting part-time footballers, kept the Super League star-studded England honest in the second half after trailing 22-6 at the main break.
“We have been in camp two weeks, we have guys shooting off to work in between training sessions,” Farah said.
“Basically the majority of our team are park footballers.
“We were coming up against some world class players and ranked third in the world, we definitely didn’t embarrass ourselves tonight.
“I think everyone would walk away with a bit more respect for the Lebanon Cedars.”
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