The Papua New Guinea National Rugby League Competition (PNGNRLC) Appeals Committee has reviewed decisions made by the Match Review Committee on the incident that occurred on Sunday, 24th April 2022 in the Round 1 match between the Bintangor Goroka Lahanis and Kroton Hela Wigmen played in Goroka at the Sir Danny Leahy Oval.
Following the Appeals Committee Hearing it was decided that the decision by the Match Review Committee was reviewed and Ake Paluse‘s suspension period reduced from 10 yearsto a 3-round suspension, effective as of Rounds 4 to 6.
Paluse will be eligible to play in the Digicel Cup in Round 7 with a strong warning that any similar act repeated will activate the earlier decision by the Match Review Committee.
The Appeals Committee also reviewed the decision by the Match Review Committee to suspend home games of the Lahanis in Goroka indefinitely and has decided that the Sir Danny Leahy Oval has been re-instated as the Lahanis’ home ground due to the fact that there were a lot of resources provided by the Franchise in restoring the venue.
The Sir Danny Leahy Oval will therefore host the Lahanis’ second home game of the season in Round 4 of the semi-professional competition with observation to be done by the Competition Manager on the ground to assess, security protocol, game day management, player safety and welfare for both teams and general game day operations with the inclusion of Police personnel on game day.
Failure to do so will result in the Match Review Committee’s decision to be upheld again.
The Appeals Committee then reviewed the Match Review Committee’s decision to ban Lahanis Media Officials David Boli, Post Courier’s stringer, and Gabriel Giwi of Yomba Photography, and has upheld this decision, therefore both individuals are banned from entering any PNGNRLC and PNGRFL sanctioned matches. Boli’s case will be referred to the PNG Media Council.
The Round 4 match between the Central Dabaris and Goroka Lahanis will be monitored closely by Competition Manager to ensure all compliance for game day operations, Banis Protocol requirements, presence of Police and security personnel are available to ensure the safety of match officials and players.