Outrage as NRL enforcer Addin Fonua-Blake escapes with a two-week ban for calling a referee a 'retard' - as leaked report reveals a second offensive slur
- Manly player Addin Fonua-Blake called referee Grant Atkins a 'retard' on Sunday
- He has been sidelined for two matches after he pleaded guilty for the incident
- A report has revealed the forward also called the referees 'a bunch of spastics'
NRL enforcer Addin Fonua-Blake has escaped with a two-game ban for hurling vile insults at a referee - but a leaked report has revealed the true extent of his abuse.
Television audio clearly picked up the Manly Sea Eagles player calling referee Grant Atkins a 'f***ing retard' before he was marched from the field in Sunday's loss to Newcastle following a controversial last-minute play.
Fonua-Blake was sidelined for two matches after he pleaded guilty to a grade-three contrary conduct charge.
But 2GB sourced a copy of the official report completed by Mr Atkins which revealed Fonua-Blake also said 'Are your eyes f***ing painted on you bunch of spastics' when he passed the referee after the game.
Television audio clearly picked up the Manly Sea Eagles player calling referee Grant Atkins a 'f***ing retard' before he was marched from the field in Sunday's loss to Newcastle following a controversial last-minute play (pictured: Addin Fonua-Blake)
The Manly Sea Eagles released a statement and said Fonua-Blake was 'remorseful' and apologised to Mr Atkins.
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'Referees have a very tough job and we all need to respect their decisions even when we may not agree with them,' Fonua-Blake said in the statement.
'I should not have let my emotions get the better of me and I am very sorry for the comments I made.
'I'd also like to offer my sincere apology to anyone offended by the regrettable language that I used. I let myself and my Club down. That is not who I am or what this Club stands for.'
Fonua-Blake was sidelined for two matches after he pleaded guilty to a grade-three contrary conduct charge
Australian Rugby League Commissioner, Peter V'landys, said Fonua-Blake's actions were 'inexcusable' and the NRL need to treat the incident seriously.
'As I've said many times, what these players have to understand is they are role models. They have a non-negotiable duty,' Mr V'landys told the Sydney Morning Herald.
'A young kid would've watched that and gone to school and abused a kid who is disadvantaged. To me, that's intolerable.
'We're not going lightly on it. If we do, as a commission, we might as well walk away.'
Fonua-Blake will likely miss his return game against North Queensland as he refused a flu shot.
Players are not allowed in the state if they refuse to have a flu shot.
But 2GB sourced a copy of the official report completed by Mr Atkins which revealed Fonua-Blake also said 'Are your eyes f***ing painted on you bunch of spastics' when he passed the referee after the game
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