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.”
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
Disciplinary panel disagrees.
Mushi
Guest
One is still a (to use basketball parlance) a natural rugby league act as arms end up around the face repeatedly in every single game the other is completely unnatural in the context of the game.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Shove your forearm in someone's mouth and you can't claim victimhood.
Craig Joubert
Guest
the video shows it happened. There is no doubt or room for opinion.
Andrew
Guest
Don't need neutral referee's just professional ones. That game was out of control because the officiating was dreadful. On the field, on the touchlines and in the video ref box. It was park football stuff. As for those blaming Farah for getting bitten - seriously? Though probably the same people who blame Hayne for Phil Rothfield's inaccurate reporting...
Glenn
Guest
Saw the replay and Farrah didn't choke McGillvary but had his arm near his head. McGillvary went out of his way to have a chomp, obviously missing red meat in his diet.
qwetzen
Guest
Biting Farrah is its own punishment. The biter would probably catch something nasty.
Maestro
Guest
You should be pleased - England played a RL international in Sydney for the first time in 20 years???
ToowoombaBears
Roar Rookie
Yeah she is great right!
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
It's not victim blaming if you don't believe Farah is a victim.
Nat
Roar Guru
He's been doing the same with Souths forwards all year. The constant first step out depriving his big men of time and getting them crunched. I remember a game against Manly early in the year where Api was driving the Burgess boys because they were at half pace waiting for the ball to come.
Big Daddy
Guest
Should be neutral refs . Very unprofessional but why is it no surprise. Even the Jersey numbers are falling . Should be stitched on not ironed on - trying to save a buck. I bet the suits are all staying at 5 star hotels.
terrence
Guest
Johnno, I'll admit the officiating wasn't that great last night, and an Aussie or NZ ref should have been in charge last night. I think the aim is to keep the officiating somewhat consistent, hence most of the officials are from the professional leagues, the NRL and ESL. I'm OK with that, the last thing I want to see is a final made up of the most likely teams England/Australia/New Zealand, with a referee from a not so professional league (i.e. France) overawed by the experience and killing what should be a great game to watch. ' This happens in rugby union and soccer from time-to-time unfortunately, as it does in any world sport. .
terrence
Guest
GA, yep, I thought the same, I reckon put Farah at 9 and put Lichaa at 7 or 6. The Pommy defense is pretty good under Bennett, that's what made the crab-running Farah look even worse. Not like Farah had a Taumalolo/Ethan Lowe/Gavin Cooper as an edge runner. Saying that, the Lebanese team (and Farah as a leader) played well, very brave. Full marks to them. A semi-professional team going pretty well against seasoned professional team. A spot for them in the knock-out rounds will be well deserved for all those involved in the Lebanese team.
Craig Joubert
Guest
A lot of blaming the victim going on here There is no excuse for biting someone Sure, penalise Farah for the high tackle but ban the biter for his disgraceful act
Cathar Treize
Roar Guru
Yes, that was a strange selection choice for ref. Not good enough & something going on behind the scenes there.
Johnno
Guest
The game was a disgrace, the refs for the mach the main ref and touch judges were all english. I mean what the? The RLIF should have neatural refs for all world cup matches like other sports eg cricket/rugby union/soccer. Could you imagine now in modern times an Indian umpire umpiring a match with India playing, or in soccer an Italian ref when they play Argentina, no way.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Yeah, Farah pretty much shoved his forearm in McGillvary's mouth -- really has no right to complain.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
Sorry but this all comes back down to the referees. Tackles around the head have been banned for years but we see them every game with no penalty.
Greg Ambrose
Guest
Off topic but still on Robbie Farrah . I was watching him do an angled run across field dummying to someone angling back inside and running further across field and passing the ball to his back line after taking all their space. As it was happening I could feel that he was harming his team not helping it. The centre ended up being bundled over the sideline and I thought how the best players run straight to give the players out side maximum room. Cross field running is just about the easiest trap to fall in as a player and is the greatest of illusions. I've seen the odd player succeed but they are almost always very quick and dangerous and find a gap themselves like Tedesco. The best of the long term champions tend to run straight however.