League legend Ian Roberts has criticised the NRL for their slow response after Friday night’s homophobic slur controversy in the New Zealand Warriors game.
Roberts, the first openly gay rugby league player, said that it was ‘saddening’ that it took from Friday night until Sunday afternoon for the NRL to comment on the incident.
It is thought that the delay was caused by problems identifying the culprit, later revealed to be Warriors winger Marcelo Montoya, because the footage from the match in Redcliffe had to be analysed at NRL HQ in Sydney.
“I’m obviously disappointed about the incident, it’s saddening,” said the former Kangaroos forward.
“I understand things are said in the heat of the moment, but there needed to be a quicker response from the clubs and the NRL.
“To leave it for two days … what was said was very audible over the telecast.
“I don’t care if someone calls me “f—-t”’, but I’ve said it so many times, there are people out in the suburbs and regional areas who are really struggling with their sexual identity, and those comments have consequences.”
Roberts, speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, compared the NRL’s response to that of soccer’s A League, which reacted swiftly when chants from Melbourne Victory fans were aimed at openly gay Adelaide United player Josh Cavallo.
“What the soccer did with Josh Cavallo at the start of the year, the crowd attacked Josh with homophobic slurs, but they came out the next day and said they would not tolerate such behaviour,” said Roberts.
“By doing so they embraced the LGBTIQA+ community. That’s what disappointed me with the league. Had they made statements straight away, that to me is embracing inclusion.”
Montoya has apologised for an on-field homophobic slur that could see him cop a lengthy ban after the Warriors winger was referred straight to the NRL judiciary.
He was hit with a contrary conduct charge by the NRL for calling North Queensland winger Kyle Feldt a “f****t” in the Warriors’ Friday night win.
There is now no limit to the amount of time the Warriors winger will face on the sideline if found guilty, with the match review committee determining the charge greater than a grade three.
While it was initially unclear who made the remark, Montoya could be heard shouting “get up Kyle, you f****t” after he was penalised for a high shot on his opposite number.
In a statement on Sunday, Warriors CEO Cameron George apologised for the act almost two days after the incident.
“Both Marcelo and the club are extremely apologetic for the offence this has caused. It was unacceptable,” CEO Cameron George said.
“Marcelo accepts responsibility and knows there’s no place for such behaviour both in the game and in society generally.”
Several of Montoya’s Warriors teammates have spoken on the issue.
“I think he (Montoya) is probably going to come out and speak about it himself,” said back-rower Bayley Sironen.
“I know that we as a club – and ( myself) as a player – we don’t stand for that sort of stuff. We are really apologetic and we want to get that out of the game.”
Wayde Egan said Montoya was remorseful.
“Marcelo is one of the best blokes I’ve met and he’ll do anything for his mates,” he said.
“He definitely didn’t mean any malice in what he said in the heat of the battle. We play a very violent game. We are supporting him this week and we’ll let the judiciary decide what punishment he gets.
“He’s remorseful for what he said. He wouldn’t have meant it, he’s going to be down and disappointed. He’ll bounce back from it, he’s a really resilient guy and the boys will get around him.”
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