NRL warns fans who hurled bottles at officials of severe penalties
After the Warriors' 12-10 defeat to the Knights, spectators threw bottles at referee Ashley Klein and his assistants, prompting the NRL to threaten heavy sanctions.
In the aftermath of the Warriors' 12-10 loss to the Newcastle Knights at Eden Park, several supporters threw bottles and other objects at referee Ashley Klein and touch judges Phil Henderson and Tyson Brough while they were exiting the stadium. The NRL classified the behavior as a breach of its Spectator Code of Conduct, which prohibits any violent act or projectile throwing. League officials warned that offenders could face significant sanctions, including bans from all NRL venues and possible legal action.
Eden Park chief executive Nick Sautner confirmed the venue will cooperate with the NRL to locate the individuals involved and stressed the importance of a safe environment for staff, players and fans. The incident occurred amid heightened emotions after the Warriors suffered back-to-back finals defeats in Auckland. The Warriors have been approached for comment.
Why it matters
Fan violence threatens the safety of officials and could lead to stricter penalties for spectators at future games.
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