NRL chief David Gallop slams Manly pair - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

NRL chief David Gallop slams Manly pair

By Ian McCullough 04/04/2011 07:23:53 PM Comments (0)

NRL chief executive David Gallop has blasted Manly forwards Anthony Watmough and Terence Seu Seu following their arrest for urinating on a shopfront on Sunday night.

Gallop accused Watmough and Seu Seu of bringing disrespect to the game and welcomed the Sea Eagles' decision to stand the pair down for one match.

NSW and Test backrower Watmough and hooker Seu Seu were also fined a week's wages by the club on Monday, in addition to the $220 on-the-spot penalty issued to them by police for offensive behaviour.

They will sit out Saturday's clash with Cronulla at Toyota Stadium.

"Without knowing the full details, the club has seen fit to send a strong message because this sort of behaviour lets down everyone in the game and we will wait to get a more detailed report from them," Gallop said.

"At a time when the competition couldn't be better and when fans are enjoying the game in record numbers, players deserve to see their achievements on the field recognised.

"And even though it may not seem the biggest crime to some, off-field behaviour such as this is disrespectful to the rest of the players in the game."

Sea Eagles chief executive Graham Lowe labelled the pair's behaviour as unacceptable.

"They have embarrassed themselves and the club and its sponsors and supporters," Lowe said in a statement.

"They have shown great remorse for their silly action and will pay a heavy penalty."

Watmough and Seu Seu provided a joint statement expressing their regret for what happened.

"We are bitterly disappointed with our actions and for the fact that we have let our teammates, our families and our supporters down," they said.

"It was a careless and stupid thing to do and we accept the suspension without complaint."

The incident is another black mark against Watmough, who has been involved in a series of off-field incidents in recent years.

Less than two months ago the 27-year-old lost his driving licence after being caught clocking 133kph in an 80kph speed zone.

In 2009, Watmough was fined $10,000 by the club and given an official reprimand following a scuffle with a club sponsor.

The man's 21-year-old daughter also claimed she was insulted by Watmough.

Watmough, who has been capped by NSW five times and appeared for the Kangaroos on four occasions, was also involved in an incident with Steve Matai where the pair were assaulted by a gang of men in January last year.

Both players were cleared of any wrongdoing by the club following the attack.

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