The NRL has handed down its first suspension to a coach, slapping Ricky Stuart with a one-game ban.
Stuart will be forced to sit out this week’s matchday 22 with St George Illawarra, and will not be able to communicate with his team.
He has also been fined $25,000. He has five business days to respond to the breach notice, but the Raiders announced that he and the club accept the penalties.
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The punishment comes as the coach labeled Penrith player Jaeman Salmon a “gutted weak dog person” in his post-match press conference on Saturday.
The one-week suspension means that from Tuesday afternoon until next Wednesday, Stuart cannot enter the Raiders’ facility, attend any training or give any training.
These functions will be handed over to his three assistants.
Ricky Stuart, coach of the Raiders. (Getty)
You will not be allowed to communicate with your staff or players until Wednesday of the week.
Stuart used his public press conference to launch a stunning personal attack on Salmon, 23, with whom it was later revealed the Raiders coach has a personal history dating back to 2010.
“Leaders must set the standard in the game. The comments are completely unacceptable from anyone let alone an official of this experience and position.” NRL boss Andrew Abdo said.
“This is a very unusual case, and we have taken the significant step of proposing a suspension from his duties for a week. This will be a total suspension that will prevent Ricky from participating in any club activities, either face-to-face or remotely . In addition, the fine must not be paid by the club but by Ricky himself.”
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