Adam Doueihi will miss Lebanon’s critical World Cup clash against Ireland – a game that will likely dictate their quarter-final passage – after it was found he made a derogratory slur to NRL referee Grant Atkins.
Doueihi unsuccessfully challenged his one-game suspension at a World Cup judiciary hearing in the UK after being sent off during Lebanon’s first-up 34-12 loss to New Zealand at the tournament.
According to the minutes of Doueihi’s hearing, Atkins’ match report alleged Doueihi said “f— me, c—” towards him in response to what the Wests Tigers star believed should have been an escort penalty after a second-half kick-off.
Doueihi denied Atkins’ assertion in response, claiming he had said “give us a f—ing call”.
Adam Doueihi catches the ball during Lebanon’s Rugby League World Cup against New Zealand.Credit:AP
Cedars captain Mitchell Moses backed up Doueihi’s version of events, with his frustrated teammate yelling at him moments afterwards “f— me, challenge (the decision).”
The World Cup judiciary panel was “comfortably satisfied Atkins was not mistaken” about what was said, with Doueihi to miss Lebanon’s clash with Ireland on Monday morning AEDT.
On-field audio of the incident was not made available due to a technical glitch at the time, with Atkins claiming he told Doueihi “you’re not going to call me the c-word” while pointing to the players’ tunnel.
Doueihi apologised to Atkins after full-time and was provided a character reference by Lebanon coach Michael Cheika, who is also Doueihi’s uncle.
Cheika said using the ‘c-word’ would be out of character for the 24-year-old, who he has known since he was born.
There was no dispute from Lebanon that Doueihi was the player who voiced his frustrations with Atkins’ decision, only the nature of his outburst.
Lebanon needs to beat an Irish side led by Luke Keary at the weekend to keep their quarter-final hopes alive, unless the Kiwis were to stumble against Ireland or minnows Jamaica.
The second-place finisher in Group B will most certainly face tournament favourites Australia in a November 5 quarter-final at Huddersfield.
