The NRL has stood down North Queensland Cowboy James Tamou for two games after he was charged with being more than four times over the legal limit to drive, and driving unlicensed.
Tamou has received a two match suspension with a $20,000 fine due to the seriousness of the charge which includes NRL and representative games.
The two match ban was confirmed later today, after discussions between the Cowboys and the NRL’s integrity unit.
This means that the ban will include State of Origin Game 2, in Brisbane. With Origin appearance fees at $30,000 per game, the night of drink will cost Tamou at least $50,000.
The Australian Test and NSW Blues prop was charged by police after recording an alcohol concentration of 0.197 when he was pulled over in the early hours of Monday morning in the suburb of North Ward.
Tamou will appear in Townsville Magistrates Court on July 2 on charges of unlicensed driving and driving under the influence of alcohol, and has indicated he will plead guilty.
Full statement from the NRL:
“James Tamou has been fined $20,000, suspended for the Cowboys’ next NRL match and ruled ineligible for selection for State of Origin Game II.
The penalties, which also include forgoing any potential Origin match payment, come after Tamou was arrested and charged for high range drink driving and driving without a licence.
NRL Chief Executive, Mr Dave Smith, said the facts were not in dispute and the penalties reflect the seriousness of the offences.
“This is a high level, high risk, high penalty situation,” Mr Smith said today.
“Drink driving puts lives at risk. Our players are well educated regarding alcohol management and there is no excuse for such behaviour.
“Our Integrity Unit has reviewed the situation, we have consulted with the Cowboys and we have sent a clear message of what is expected of our players.”
The NRL will also work with the Cowboys and Tamou to implement additional education and welfare programs, including responsible driver education.”
mushi
Guest
Yep we are a sport and one that derives almost all of it's commercial benefit from being in the entertainment industry. The employers are more than within their bounds to protect that brand image
Gavin Cooper
Guest
Yes, he sure copped a heavy hit. He did a stupid thing but the reaction from the NRL was way too hash. And those who live in glass houses.....I also hope the judge takes into account the life changing actions that has already happened. One mistake. WoW !!!
Damn Straight
Roar Rookie
By the way, my ex girlfriend told me I have great legs and they would look good in a skirt. ;)
Damn Straight
Roar Rookie
But Jimbob, by signing that contract, he has agreed to the NRL's terms and conditionalities. It is not dissimilar to signing the contract for your license at the RTA...in signing that contract, you agree to their rules. Break those rules, you have contractual obligation to honour/pay those penalties.
Jimbob
Guest
The government enforces the criminal law, which is appropriate. The clubs and NRL are enforcing the fines and match bans under their player contracts. That is where the stink lies - punishing a player under their contract to satisfy the do-gooders of this world. What happened to Gallen was a disgrace and now Tamou cops this garbage. League has lost the plot. We are a sport, not the vanguard of politically correct behaviour. These PR exercises make me want to puke. At least T'eo was dealt with appropriately ie he wasn't reprimanded for something that could happen to any young league player.
Damn Straight
Roar Rookie
Jimbob, it has nothing to do with sentimentality mate. It is just the way that our legal system is structured. Contract/commercial/civil law and criminal law. I don't make the laws pal...if I did, it would be a weird looking world indeed! :)
Jimbob
Guest
Not you too DS!!! Since when have league supporters become such a bunch of skirts. We are sabotaging our sport with all this outrage. Boys will be boys, if you can't handle a bit of biff or understand that sometimes our players will have a few too many and do something childish or get in a blue with the missus or some good time sheila you need to find a different sport to support. Leave match bans and fines out of it, we don't want to see it in our game.
Damn Straight
Roar Rookie
Even a Muppet with stuffing/cotton wadding for brains would have more common sense than that AR. :)
Damn Straight
Roar Rookie
+1 That post puts it in perspective. The average schmoe out there hears 20k and thinks "yeah, that showed him". Then you realise he'll get his pay "docked" for a week. Big deal.
Damn Straight
Roar Rookie
Double facepalm.
Damn Straight
Roar Rookie
Meat head was that pished he couldn't operate a telephone. So the next rational thing to do is get behind the wheel of course.
Damn Straight
Roar Rookie
It's a god damned conspiracy I tell ya! Actually, no it isn't. It is a victory for common sense and accountability. I didn't think it was a great performance from him in game 1 anyway.
Damn Straight
Roar Rookie
2 entirely seperate issues FI. One is an internal disciplinary issue, which applies because he signed a contract with the NRL, that would stipulate that he adhere to the code of conduct of the NRL. If he refused to pay the fine to the NRL, then it would be a contract law/commercial law issue dealt with in a civil court. The drink driving charge is a criminal matter and will be dealt with accordingly in a criminal court.
Damn Straight
Roar Rookie
Should have just peed his pants. I'd have an accident in my underpants for 15k. It would have the added benefit of putting off would be tacklers too. :)
Damn Straight
Roar Rookie
Precisely Griffo. If that isn't bringing the game into disrepute, then I'm not sure what does. But what a goose...seriously. To blow close to 0.2 and get into a car to drive takes a special kind of meat head. The NRL would have stipulated what their code of conduct was when he signed his contract with the potty calf wranglers. Just like any other corporate job, if you breach the code of conduct, you will, as a matter of course, face internal disciplinary action and sanctions. At least he didn't belt someone...the Gallen v Myles zealots would be beside themselves with their faux outrage and over the top hypocrisy.
Jimbob
Guest
Renegade, for once I don't agree with you - this is more of the same crap we have had to put up with as from the Gallen punch. Footballers fight and drink and misbehave - it has been part the game for as long as I can remember - they are regular Australian blokes and the NRL is fighting a losing battle if they think they can remove this type of behaviour from the sport with these match bans. It is the height of arrogance and stupidity by the NRL and the sooner we see an end to it the better.
Old School
Roar Rookie
What's Tamou being paid? Something like $400-$500k a season? Over a 26 game season that's somewhere in the range of $15-$20k a game. So the fine seems pretty close to his Cowboys match payment which seems fair. He's dudded the Cowboys, they're struggling to win as it is without having this numpty do this. All he has to do is turn up for 26 games.
AdamS
Roar Guru
I think Richmond lost them in similar circumstances, which just goes to show that wealthy entitled 20 something's are really not you ideal demographic for responsible behavior.
db swannie
Guest
My sincere apologies to Ashton Sims. I thought he was the stupidest human being to ever pull on a Cows jersey. Tamou has proven me wrong .
Australian Rules
Guest
marco, In 2008 Collingwood lost one of its sponsors, the TAC, after Sharrod Wellingham (a junior) was caught moving his parked car and blew .13. The sponsorship had 1 year remaining on a $1.2M deal. In 2005, the TAC dumped its partnership with Richmond after Jay Schulz was caught speeding and drinking driving...some weeks earlier, another player, Royce Vardy was also caught drink driving. The sponsorship was worth about $750k. The consequences are serious, especially for a young kid (trying to get a game!) who ends up costing his new club a million bucks! The TAC no longer sponsor football clubs.