Manly star accused of slapping sponsor and fined $10,000

[Chook Norris]

MANLY forward Anthony Watmough has denied allegedly slapping a sponsor at a club function, declaring: "I'm not apologising for something I didn't do."
Police are investigating the incident where Watmough allegedly slapped a 48-year-old man in the face during Manly's season launch at the Wharf Hotel.
Watmough has denied striking the man and claimed the incident was a "misunderstanding". "I didn't do a thing wrong," Watmough told The Sun-Herald. "I'm not apologising for something I didn't do.
"I spoke to him [the alleged victim] [on Saturday morning] and he's fine with it all. It's a shame it got this far when it didn't have to.
"It's been blown way out of proportion.
"I met with the club and Dessie [coach Des Hasler] and they're sweet with what happened.
"The sponsor is sweet, we spoke to him."
When asked what actually happened, Watmough - who has been cleared by the club of any wrongdoing - replied: "There were a few words exchanged, a bit of alcohol involved, but it was all blown way out of proportion.
"That's all there was to it. He got ejected and then came back and got ejected again.
"There were never any punches thrown.
"It was a bit of words and a bit of a running battle all day, it got a bit out of control.
"We were sitting in groups either side and it erupted.
"I spoke to Dessie straight after the incident and he said, 'We're all witnesses here, you didn't do anything wrong.' It was all good.
"I spoke to [the alleged victim] today and he's fine with it all. It's a shame it got this far when it didn't have to."
Watmough has been in stellar form in recent times. After a starring role in Manly's grand final win last year, he was selected for Australia's World Cup campaign.
In last weekend's World Club Challenge victory against Leeds, he was named man of the match.
The fiery forward denied he hit the sponsor. "Not at all," he said. "When people started standing around and got involved, it looked like that.
"We had our owners inside, and our sponsors.
"It's not as if I'm going to a club function to slap a sponsor straight in the head. I don't think that's a good thing to do."
An NRL statement said the matter had been resolved.
However, police said they had yet to receive a statement from the alleged victim and would continue their investigations.
http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/sea...apping-incident/2009/03/07/1235842719927.html

 

[StormChaser]

I think this is funny. The dude is so cross eyed it's a wonder he managed to hit his target.

 

[gong_eagle]

Police press on with Watmough inquiries

Glenn Jackson | March 10, 2009
http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/new...mough-inquiries/2009/03/09/1236447132507.html


HIS altercation with a club sponsor has been largely overshadowed by the sexual assault allegations against fullback Brett Stewart, but representative second-rower Anthony Watmough still faces punishment by the Sea Eagles - and possibly police.
The sponsor Watmough is alleged to have slapped during the club's boozy season launch is still considering pressing charges - even though the Test representative apologised to him the day after the altercation. It is understood the club will consider placing Watmough on an alcohol ban and is likely to fine him over the incident. It is also understood police investigations are continuing and detectives are trying to obtain a statement from the sponsor.
The corporate partner sponsor in question, who did not wish to be named, yesterday made it clear he was not completely satisfied with the apology issued on Saturday.
"The guy needs to pull his head in," he said of Watmough. "They get a bit of alcohol in them. I don't know what I'm going to do at the moment. He's apologised, and I've accepted the apology, but I still need to decide where I go from here."
Manly chief executive Grant Mayer said the club was continuing its own investigations but expressed surprise that police were continuing theirs.
"I'm a bit perplexed to hear the police are continuing to investigate, when as far as the hotel, the sponsor and the player are concerned, the issue's been resolved," Mayer said.

 

[sharko]

The sponsor he belted is a corporate sponsor and also supports the Sea Eagles kids, the Manly junior leagues, what a an abjest fool, when clubs are trying to build up their junior ranks to prevent poaching from other codes this mongo has to clock a sponsor after harrassing his daughter also.

 

[Rockin Ronny]

The sponsor he belted is a corporate sponsor and also supports the Sea Eagles kids, the Manly junior leagues, what a an abjest fool, when clubs are trying to build up their junior ranks to prevent poaching from other codes this mongo has to clock a sponsor after harrassing his daughter also.

What do you expect from Manly scum?
No doubt the NRL will bend over backwards to save their hides again - but it's time these scum were hung out to dry.

 

[myanonymoususername]

The sponsor he belted is a corporate sponsor and also supports the Sea Eagles kids, the Manly junior leagues, what a an abjest fool, when clubs are trying to build up their junior ranks to prevent poaching from other codes this mongo has to clock a sponsor after harrassing his daughter also.

I'd be fascinated to know of any business in any industry where if an employee assaulted a sponsor/client/business partner, they'd still have a job.

I'd say about 99.99% of people would be told first thing Monday morning when they turned up for work that they need not bother anymore.

However, in RL, and Manly in particular in this case, it seems to be the sponsor's problem, not Watmough's.

The bottom line is that if Watmough hit the sponsor, any decent employer would fire him without question. Not doing so really does encourage others to invest in the club doesn't it?

 

[sharko]

Well said mouse.

 

[Pierced Soul]

you'd think watmough would have to go if he's actually hit a sponsor although i doubt that would happen.

lucky for the sponsor choc didnt have any coins on him

 

[myanonymoususername]

An example of what happens in the real world when you embarass your employer by being a drunken violent idiot .

'Out of control drunkard' sparks Qantas plane stoush

Chris Thomson

March 10, 2009 - 8:41AM
A magistrate has slammed Qantas for letting an "out of control drunkard" onto a Perth-bound aeroplane where he started a fight, called a woman a bitch, and threatened to kill another passenger.

Perth Magistrate Paul Heaney heard yesterday that on October 27 last year Aaron Dean Monk, 38, boarded QF793 while drunk.
Monk had just finished a night shift as a chef working for catering company Spotless on a Northern Territory oil rig, and was flying home to Western Australia.

....

Mr Monisse revealed that Qantas had told Spotless of Monk's outburst and he had been sacked from his $85,000-per-year cooking job.

Spotless clearly has higher standards and more concern for its business reputation than Manly.

 

[GB!]

what a an abjest fool

can i get a definition on that word please?

 

[t1tan]

An example of what happens in the real world when you embarass your employer by being a drunken violent idiot .



Spotless clearly has higher standards and more concern for its business reputation than Manly.

But thats the real world isnt it?
Seems footballers are operating under different rules to the rest of society..:sarcasm:

 

[myanonymoususername]

But thats the real world isnt it?
Seems footballers are operating under different rules to the rest of society..:sarcasm:

Which is exactly the problem!!!!

 

[t1tan]

I think this is funny. The dude is so cross eyed it's a wonder he managed to hit his target.

 

[t1tan]

Which is exactly the problem!!!!

Todd Carney must have a draw full of get out of gaol cards..

 

[Jatz Crackers]

I think this is funny. The dude is so cross eyed it's a wonder he managed to hit his target.

There must have been a number of sponsors standing in front of him.

Some of those trick mirrors you find at the circus were there too !

 

[PJ]

The bottom line is that if Watmough hit the sponsor, any decent employer would fire him without question

Call me cynical but I can't help but think that if it was a fringe first grader that is exactly what would have happened to him.

 

[gong_eagle]

Inside the Manly season launch party that went wrong
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/sport/nrl/story/0,26799,25168887-5006066,00.html
EXCLUSIVE by Andrew Webster

Manly Wharf Hotel, Glenn Stewart (far right background) club sponsor "Paul" after being hit by Anthony Watmough. Young girl in photo is the girl involved in the incident with Anthony Watmough. (Watmough is to the left of the camera out of frame)

Manly Wharf Hotel, Manly players Glenn Hall and Glenn Stewart holding back a club sponsor "Paul" after being hit by Anthony Watmough. (Watmough is just out of frame to the left) Pic. It Test From
IT was supposed to celebrate a premiership - and their new status as world champions.

Instead, Manly's boozy season launch on a sparkling Friday afternoon ended with a sponsor being restrained from fighting representative backrower Anthony Watmough.

As the exclusive pictures show, Sea Eagles forwards Glenn Hall and Glenn Stewart were forced to hold back burly landscape gardener Paul Durazza, who claims Watmough "punched" him after insulting his 21-year-old daughter. Watmough last night broke his silence on the issue to vehemently deny the sponsor's claims.

In depth: All you need to know about Manly

"I was defending myself - there are 100 witnesses to prove it," he said.
Witnesses have now come forward to claim Watmough was not to blame for the ugly scenes involving Mr Durazza - who is, ironically, Stewart's personal sponsor.

Gallery: Sarah Durazza and the confrontation

It is understood Watmough told Mr Durazza he should be "embarrassed" for allowing his daughter to attend a rugby league function wearing a short white skirt.

Another witness said Mr Durazza was ejected from the bar after initially confronting Watmough over his comments, before re-entering the premises and charging at the player. Bar staff and players were needed to restrain Mr Durazza before he was asked to leave for a second time.

"What should I do? I was defending myself," Watmough said.

"He was charging me. I just pushed him away. It was not a punch. There are 100 people who will sign sworn statements to back me up."

Management at the bar are finalising a report for Sea Eagles officials, who are also eager to view CCTV footage of the incident.

A police spokeswoman said last night they were yet to receive a formal complaint from Mr Durazza, but inquiries were continuing.

After accepting Watmough's apology on Saturday morning, Mr Durazza yesterday phoned a radio station in fury after hearing Manly co-owner Max Delmege say the sponsor was to blame for the incident.

"That was not instigated by Anthony Watmough," Mr Delmege told 2UE.

Mr Durazza said Watmough had punched him - not slapped him as has been reported.

"He punched me. It was not a slap. It was a punch," he said.

"He was just very rude and that's what sparked me to get up and then he hit me.

"I'm not holding any grudge - I'd just like to set the record straight."

Manly chief executive Grant Mayer said he had considered the issue buried after Watmough's apology.

The Sea Eagles may still reprimand Watmough for breaching the club's code of conduct for being intoxicated.

"I have contacted the sponsor and left a message but have not heard back from him," Mr Mayer said.

It has emerged Mr Durazza pays $8000 a season to sponsor Brett Stewart.

"He has been nothing but a gentleman every time I have been with him. I will continue to sponsor him," he said.

 

[Hindyscrack]

It is understood Watmough told Mr Durazza he should be "embarrassed" for allowing his daughter to attend a rugby league function wearing a short white skirt.

What a douche... Looking at the image of the girl, I cant see how the hell the dress would be considered inappropriate. Watmough recently turned to extremist religion? Way to go, mouthing off at sponsors.

 

[stormbati]

Seems like Watmough was just thinking out loud! Why she was there? Who freakin knows, wearing a short dress/skirt, thank fully no one went near her, more sex assault claims.

 

[warren]

Seems like Watmough was just thinking out loud! Why she was there? Who freakin knows, wearing a short dress/skirt, thank fully no one went near her, more sex assault claims.

I think i can hear a lynch mob approaching