Payne Haas fined $50,000, handed three-game suspension for spray at police
Broncos prop Payne Haas has been fined $50,000 and handed a three-game suspension by the NRL after verbally abusing multiple police officers while drunk last month in Tweed Heads.
Haas escaped conviction but was handed a two-year good behaviour bond at Tweed Heads Local Court earlier this month, after pleading guilty to intimidating police and using offensive language.
The charges came after the Origin star was approached by police on January 16 at Jack Evan Boat Harbour, where he became aggressive before refusing to produce ID.
Payne Haas has been hit with the maximum fine by the NRL.Credit:NRL Photos
NRL Chief Executive Andrew Abdo said the game had no tolerance for players abusing police and labelled Haas’ conduct “unacceptable”.
“There are no excuses for any form of abuse towards our police force. Any player who intimidates police will be dealt with severely,” he said.
The $50,000 fine is the maximum penalty that can be handed down to a player. The NRL say they will also be reviewing maximum financial penalties with the player’s union to ensure they act as an appropriate deterrent to players.
Hass must also complete an education program as well as completing community service.
Abdo said the game needed to do more to ensure “better decision making” and “accountability” for NRL players.
“We will be reviewing our education programmes and also reviewing our financial penalties, in conjunction with the RLPA, to ensure that we are doing all we can to eliminate instances where the players let themselves and the community down,” Abdo said.
Broncos star Payne Haas has been fined $50,000 and handed a three-game suspension by the NRL after verbally abusing multiple police officers while drunk last month in Tweed Heads.Credit:NRL Photos
Haas has since apologised for his behaviour.
“I take full responsibility for what happened and I’m extremely sorry for my actions on that night,” Haas said.
“I have gone to see the police officers involved and offered them a full apology for my conduct, as well as spending time with police going through what I did.
“I had been drinking and the words I used and the way I acted were totally unacceptable. I’d like to thank the police for taking the time to see me, and accepting my apology.”
Sarah is a journalist for The Sydney Morning Herald.