The Parramatta Eels 2016 season is a constant carousel of complete chaos and carnage, which is an alliterative sentence I will back in until my dying day.
If you thought the absolute shambles that have befallen the club both on and off the field were bad enough as is, that pile has grown again today with the announcement that half Corey Norman will not be allowed to play for the rest of the NRL season.
The league judiciary handed Norman a rest-of-the-year suspension (essentially a seven-week ban at this stage of the year) and slapped him with a whopping $20,000 fine over a “range of indiscretions” including charges of drug possession, as well as a sex tape scandal.
The NRL’s Head of Integrity Nick Weeks listed a raft of incidents that all contributed to the league’s decision today:
- Norman’s arrest and conviction for drug possession at Star Casino.
- The warning he received from police for consorting with known criminals at Star Casino.
- Filming incidents that reportedly show him engaging in drug use and sexual activity.
- Personally distributing those videos to other NRL players.
Weeks met with Norman to discuss the incidents and a potential punishment during the week, and the penalties were approved by the Eels higher-ups.
In a statement issued by the NRL, Weeks blasted Norman’s conduct and sent a clear warning to other players in the league that reputation-damaging conduct will not be tolerated.
“The message is clear… players cannot put themselves in a position where they may damage their own reputations and that of the game.”
“We have been consistent this year in imposing strong penalties where players bring the game into disrepute through actions off the field.”“Whether it is drug possession, criminal associations or social media use, players understand the consequences that can flow from illegal or other unacceptable conduct.”“While it is a regrettable trend in society for people to look to sell footage of sports stars in their private lives there is an easy solution for our players – do not engage in activity which will damage their reputation or that of the game.”
Norman was hit with a $400 fine by the Downing Centre Local Court after being convicted of possessing a prohibited drug and possessing a prescribed restricted substance.
He is off-contract at the end of the season, and there are serious doubts as to whether or not he has a future playing top-tier professional league.
Source: NRL.com.
Photo: Mark Metcalfe/Getty.
