NRL enforcer Tevita Pangai Jnr is stood down for coronavirus breach after attending a 'bikie-linked' barber shop caught up in a police raid
- Brisbane Broncos star Tevita Pangai Jnr stood down and banned for two games
- Breached strict protocol by attending a friend's barber shop south of Brisbane
- Police attended Mongols bikie-linked premises but found no unlawful activity
- Breach comes four days after Pangai Jnr said he was sick of the NRL bubble
NRL star Tevita Pangai Jnr has been banned for two matches after he breached the code's strict COVID-19 protocols by visiting a bikie-linked barber shop caught up in a police raid.
The Brisbane Broncos enforcer was stood down after he attended a friend's barber shop on Saturday, just hours after returning from Sydney following his side's loss against the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
It's understood police task force Maxima raided the Black Canvas Southside barber shop espresso bar in Windaroo south of Brisbane while Pangai Jr was in attendance.
The raid found any unlawful activity and there is no suggestion Pangai Jr did anything illegal.
Pangai Jr has claimed he was unaware several Mongols bikie members were also present at the time.
The coronavirus breach comes days after Broncos Tevita Pangai Jnr (pictured right with Wallabies star Quade Cooper) complained about the NRL bubble
It's understood Pangai Jr attended the opening of Black Canvas Southside barber shop espresso bar of Saturday. Pictured are people at the launch south of Brisbane
The club has confirmed the Tongan international has been stood down for 14 days after breaching Project Apollo protocols.
'The club has been informed that he attended the opening of a barber shop yesterday, in breach of the protocols,' a Broncos statement read.
'He has been placed on a 'COVID Hold' and will undergo testing, while spending 14 days in self-isolation as the NRL continues to examine details of the breach.
'The Broncos are investigating the circumstances around the matter to determine what further action may be taken.'
Pangai Jr may face further sanctions from the Broncos, which has had a horror run since the season resumed in late May with 10 losses for their last 11 matches.
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Tevita Pangai Jr breached strict protocol by attending a barber ship south of Brisbane, just after after returning from Sydney following his side's clash against Souths Sydney. He's pictured during Friday night's loss
The latest Broncos breach comes after a week after assistant coach Allan Langer attended a birthday celebration at a Brisbane pub while two Broncos staff members were also fined.
Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett and Dragons forward Paul Vaughan were also sanctioned for protocol breaches.
Under-pressure Broncos coach Anthony Seibold was also forced to exit the NRL bubble this week due to a family emergency.
Pangai hinted his frustration at NRL's strict biosecurity protocols four days ago when he posted a throwback photo enjoying a seafood dinner with Australian Wallabies rugby union star Quade Copper.
'Sick of the bubble, Miss dinners with the bro's,' he captioned the photo.
Pangai Jnr, 24, has played 77 games for the Broncos since his NRL debut in 2016.
The Broncos star attended a Mongols-linked barber shop visited by police (stock image)
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