Asofa-Solomona suspended for three matches over Bali incident
Author:
Margie McDonald Senior Reporter
Timestamp: Fri 18 Oct 2019, 03:09 PM
Storm prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona has been suspended for three matches and slapped with a suspended $15,000 fine following a late-night brawl outside a nightclub in Bali last weekend.
The NRL handed down its judgment on Friday afternoon following an investigation by the NRL Integrity Unit and consultation with his club. Asofa-Solomona will consequently miss New Zealand's three end-of-season Tests but will be available for Melbourne in round one next year.
The NRL said the sanctions take into account evidence which showed a degree of provocation contributed to the incident, Asofa-Solomona’s cooperation with the NRL investigation and the remorse he has shown.
In a club statement, Asofa-Solomona expressed his regret over the incident.
“At the time, I was worried about Suli, who had earlier been coward-punched in an unprovoked attack,” Asofa-Solomona said.
“Suli is one of my closest friends and obviously I would never have reacted that way had he not been assaulted earlier inside the bar.
“The last few days have been very tough obviously, but the support I have had from the Club, the RLPA, my family, friends and the fans has been incredible.
“Looking back on this incident, could this have been handled differently? Yes, I could have picked up Suli and got out of there. Unfortunately, that is not the way this played out.
“I understand that as a Storm and NRL player, I’m a role model for kids and I want them to know that meeting violence with violence is not the solution.”
NRL CEO Todd Greenberg addressed the incident earlier in the week.
"Make good decisions, and if you're in a situation like that where there is trouble brewing, walk away," Greenberg said.
"Take yourself out of that situation. And make very smart choices particularly late at night. That is my advice to players.
"I think every single player who puts on an NRL jersey is acutely aware of their responsibility. We can't have a repeat of what we saw last year.
"Players will know if they make poor errors of judgment or poor decisions there is going to be significant consequences for those. And I think every player is acutely aware of that."
