‘Disgraceful and dangerous’: Life ban for fan, others face sanctions after wild scenes at Wallabies match
A man allegedly caught urinating from the top of the SCG’s O’Reilly Stand has been banned for life from Wallabies Test matches.
The ban heaps further misery on a bad start to the week for the unnamed 31-year-old, who was also charged by police and must front court next week.
One spectator, shown on the right, has been banned for life from Wallabies Tests after climbing on top of a stand at the SCG.Credit:Suppled
Rugby Australia branded his alleged actions “disgraceful and dangerous” and vowed to keep helping the police investigation.
NSW Police allege he climbed the big screen on Saturday to get onto the roof of the O’Reilly Stand, where he then sat and had to be talked down by police. Footage captured by spectators allegedly showed him urinating from the roof.
He was charged with behaving in an offensive manner in a public place and climbing on buildings, on scheduled lands, without approval.
“Rugby Australia is disappointed with the reported incidents within the crowd at the Sydney Cricket Ground for the third Test of the Wallabies’ series with England,” RA boss Andy Marinos said. “The deplorable actions of the alleged intruder that made his way to the roof of the grandstand were disgraceful and dangerous.
‘We should be proud of what [Eddie Jones has] done. And, by the way, we have a Kiwi coach. I am appalled and embarrassed.’
“This individual has been issued with a life ban from Rugby Australia events – and we will continue to support the authorities in their handling of the matter.”
RA also condemned the spectators caught on video heckling England coach Eddie Jones, calling him a “traitor” during the half-time break and at full-time. Marinos said the organisation was working with Venues NSW on “appropriate sanctions for these individuals”.
Jones was incensed by the insults, charging at the fans and asking them to repeat the remarks. He later revealed to the Herald that one of the men in question had privately emailed him to apologise. Jones accepted the man’s apology and considered the incident “done and dusted”, he said.
Earlier, RA chairman Hamish McLennan told radio host Ben Fordham that he supported hitting all those involved with the “maximum bans” available.
“I was appalled, I was embarrassed and it’s not acceptable,” McLennan said on 2GB.
“We should impose the maximum bans on both those individuals, they’re idiots, as you say.”
McLennan said the word “traitor” was not an acceptable jibe.
“It doesn’t pass the pub test and RA has to take a leadership role here, it’s just not acceptable. They’re not community standards, it’s not what rugby’s about and I’m appalled,” he said.
“Eddie Jones is a great Australian coach and has made a massive contribution to the game. At the time the [Australian Rugby Union] decided not to give him a job, he’s plying his trade overseas, good on him. We should be proud of what he’s done. And, by the way, we have a Kiwi coach. We work in a global marketplace here. I am appalled and embarrassed.”
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