England forward George Burgess has been given a four-match ban after being found guilty of eye-gouging.
George Burgess has defended his character after being handed a four-match ban that rules him out of South Sydney’s opening three matches of the 2019 NRL season.
The England forward was found guilty of an eye gouge on Dallin Watene-Zelezniak in their Test win over New Zealand in Liverpool at the weekend.
Burgess will miss miss Sunday’s third Test against the Kiwis before serving his NRL ban.
Burgess took to social media to defend himself.
“I want to make it completely clear to everyone that it was never my intention to ever gauge (sic) anyone,” said on Twitter after the hearing.
“It is not in my makeup as a rugby league player and never has been. I sincerely apologise to anyone who thinks bad of me after seeing the footage.
“I accept my punishment but I will never accept that I gauged (sic) a fellow players eye intentionally. I have too much respect for the players I play against and with.”
The incident, which occurred 20 minutes from the end of England’s 20-14 victory, went unpunished by referee Gerard Sutton and Watene-Zelezniak brushed off the clash in his post-match interviews.
However, the Rugby Football League announced on Monday that New Zealand cited the incident and Burgess was referred to a disciplinary hearing.
The Rabbitoh was also fined 500 pounds, but has the option to appeal.
Kiwis and Penrith full-back Watene-Zelezniak had to have treatment for the injury, shortly after coming into contact on the ground with Burgess.
The suspension is a major blow for Souths, who face defending premiers, the Sydney Roosters, in the opening round before a clash with the traditionally fast-starting St George Illawarra at Kogarah.
The Rabbitohs are already facing an uncertain start to their pre-season with speculation continuing to mount that Anthony Seibold and Wayne Bennett’s coaching swap will come within weeks.
Sludge McFlurrey
Guest
I dunno about that , there’s plenty out there that indulge in a bit of Hoppa activity through choice , I doubt anyone goes around sticking fingers in each other’s eyes for fun. The strangest perhaps, but not the lowest.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Yeah Paul - the Linane example sprang to my mind too. I’m amazed that in an era where the game is trying to be cleaned up we have four week suspensions for this sort of thing versus 20 in the Wild West days of the 80s.
steveng
Roar Rookie
All you blokes need to calm down. That wasn't as bad as all of you makes it out to be! Gee, there must be allot of hatred out there for my Bunnies and the Poms lol
Muzz
Guest
Grub.
BA Sports
Roar Guru
It was 20 weeks... But 4 seems harsh to a Souths supporter....
Greg
Guest
Unfortunate for George his name isn't Billy Slater
Phil
Roar Rookie
Even for Souths supporter it must be blatantly obvious what an eye gouge is. If he played for Saints I would want him out of the club. In the late 80's Steve Linnane eye gouged Greg Alexander and had a lengthy holiday of 5 or 6 months, exactly what it was I can't remember off hand. I agree with you on penalties for "real breaches" like when Sam Burgess practiced his squirrel grip technique at Gosford one day. That was worth a few months on the sideline.
Paul
Roar Guru
He could have blinded the guy and you're condoning his actions? He had no need to have any where near DWZ's face in order to complete the tackle. Sorry Steven but he did something way bad and deserves at least 4 weeks for it.
Paul
Roar Guru
John Hopoate came up with the lowest acts on a footie field.
BA Sports
Roar Guru
Urban Dictionary just updated their definition of "Blind Loyalty" to include that post. Honestly...
steveng
Roar Rookie
Come on now, 3 months? Who are you trying to kid? That wasn't intentional as it wasn't even an 'eye gouge', it was more like a 'cheek gouge' and big George's hand was caught in an aquand position, under DWZ's head. George was just trying keep DWZ down, from getting a quick play the ball, there was nothing in it! Even DWZ didn't see anything wrong and said so after the game. These things happen! The officials should really penalise and suspend the real breaches in our game and stop being so pedantic with these silly things, how could George get 4 weeks? When a deliberate 'head high' (that sometimes injure players) and are far more dangerous, only get 4 weeks also?
Dutski
Roar Guru
Agree 100%. Four weeks for an act that could permanently blind someone? Pathetic!
Pilferer
Roar Rookie
4 weeks is a disgrace! 3 months minimum , I cant believe how soft the suspension is especially when he wasn't sent off.
BA Sports
Roar Guru
"I sincerely apologise to anyone who thinks bad of me after seeing the footage." It's not all about you... oh wait, you're a Burgess, of course it is.... Instead of apologising to anyone who thinks bad of you, how about apologising to DWZ?
Ray Paks
Roar Rookie
yeah who you trying to kid here, mate? why don't you grow a couple and say sorry; that would be a good starting point. Should've given him 6 weeks, it was horrendous and painful to watch
RoryStorm
Guest
Unfortunately for Burgess the cameras don't lie and he has been correctly found to be guilty of doing possibly the lowest act on a football field. Even if it wasn't done on the football field it is still a low act. In my opinion it's gutless. I'd be happy to see any player found guilty of eye gouging sitting on the sidelines for a season. No amount of denials from Burgess are going to change any fair persons mind on what the cameras caught. The sorry part of all this is he's going to be labeled a dog for the rest of his career.