Lebanon players, led by Robbie Farah, have sensationally threatened to boycott Saturday’s Test against Fiji over their skirmish with the Lebanon Rugby League Federation (LRLF).
The Cedars players are at odds with the LRLF over their demands for fresh board elections and planned to carry out a protest during their clash at Leichhardt Oval by taping over the governing body’s logo on their jerseys.
The LRLF responded on Wednesday by threatening Cedars players with jail, fines and suspension.
In response, Farah said on Wednesday afternoon that the players would strike unless their demands were met.
“Whilst I think it is only a threat and I’m not sure what jurisdiction they have carry out those threats, we have spoken about it and if that’s the case, we have some players here who don’t want to cover up the badge, we’ll seriously talk about not taking the field this weekend,” Cedars skipper Robbie Farah said.
“Because we are united as a playing group in demanding change.
“Sometimes you have to a create a stir to get people to listen to you.”
The Lebanon players are scheduled to meet with Rugby League International Federation CEO in Sydney on Wednesday.
The players are disputing the LRLF’s recent board elections amid complaints that the country has failed to capitalise on its 2017 World Cup success where they went within two points of beating Tonga in the quarter-finals.
In response the LRLF threatened the players with arrest if they followed through with their plans.
The LRLF said in a statement: “Consequently, on Tuesday, 18 June, the board decided upon the following resolutions.
“1. Any player who conceals the CEDARS badge – which is the emblem the federation selected to be worn by the representative of al watan, the nation – will face misconduct charges.
“2. Any player who conceals the CEDARS badge will be suspended with immediate effect pending the outcomes of any misconduct hearing.
“3. The LRLF will seek significant monetary fines on any person found guilty of misconduct related to this incident.
“4. The Lebanese public prosecutor’s office has been made aware of the incident and will launch an investigation in coordination with the LRLF. It is a criminal offence to denigrate the national emblem of the Republic of Lebanon.”
Farah on Monday said that the Lebanon-based player had boycotted the local competition because of their grievances and unless it resumed the Cedars could be stripped of their place in the 2021 World Cup.
However, the LRLF disputed this, saying it had no basis.
Haskins
Guest
They needed a 6th team to make it a pacific test series and of course Lebanon springs to mind when you think of the Pacific (palm trees?). Playing Fiji allows Fiji an easy win to assist the NRL push into Fiji next year backed by Coalition money (cant spend money on refugees on Manus Island but can give $$m to a minor sport in 1 Pacific country??/). Go figure
nerval
Guest
Farah's an Australian national of Lebanese stock. That's not "political" and it's not very complicated either. Hopefully, Farah's mind won't ever have to be made up just to suit somebody masquerading as "Big Daddy" on the Roar.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
It's a shame as politics & sport shouldn't mix however look at the effect Apartheid had on sport. It prevented cricket fans worldwide from seeing some of the world's best cricketers play Test cricket.
Big Daddy
Guest
Looks like Robbie has to make up his mind wether he's Lebanese or Australian. It's too political for me.
Nat
Roar Guru
It seems very vague. I've just read the article over on NRL.com and it's much the same. The 'dispute' is holding up the local comp and a prerequisite of entering the RLWC is having a local comp. Seems both parties are willing to cut their nose off to spite their face. Why would the IRLF schedule a Lebanese game this weekend knowing there was this dispute going on? It's not a new dispute. I'm sure ticket sales would be solid but you would have to think this boycott was going to be a risk.
BA Sports
Roar Guru
Agree. This sounds like it should be a bigger story, but the detail of the reasons for the protest seem to be missing. Can't someone just be like James Hooper and at least make something up?
Emcie
Roar Guru
From what I gather their domestic comp has been on hold for a year or so due to a breakdown between players and the administration (according to the players) or just simply time taken for clubs to become compliant to new regulations and standards imposed to improve their competition (according to the administration). Doesn't seem to be enough information available to support either side at the moment, but we're certainly only being presented with the players side of the story.
Nat
Roar Guru
Does the author know when the last board elections were and why the players are demanding "fresh board elections"? Am I reading this right, they are protesting because the LRFL didn't capitalise on the 2017 WC success? What were they supposed to do? Has this been an ongoing dispute for 18 months?