Lebanon have launched an immediate appeal after Adam Doueihi was found guilty a foul-mouthed slur towards referee Grant Atkins after a marathon three-hour hearing.
The Daily Telegraph reported Lebanon had launched an appeal after Doueihi was ruled out of Lebanon’s crucial pool game against Ireland with the winner likely to make it through to the knockout stages.
Doueihi denied the charge and allegations he said: “f..k me c..t” in reference to a decision from Atkins during Lebanon’s loss to New Zealand.
Watch every match of the Rugby League World Cup LIVE & Exclusive to Fox Sports, on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
FOX LEAGUE PODCAST: Rugby League World Cup Preview Special
Doueihi maintains he said: “give us a f..**ng call” before turning to Lebanon captain Mitchell Moses and saying, “f.*** me, challenge”.
The audio was picked up on the referee’s microphone but due to a technical issue the phrasing was inconclusive, which meant the panel could only rely on evidence from Atkins, trainer Robbie Farah and the players.
Moses and Farah both gave evidence on Doueihi’s behalf, saying the word “c***” had not been used.
Lebanon coach Michael Cheika, who has known Doueihi since he was born also gave a character reference in support of his playmaker, saying the use of the alleged word is out of character.
MORE NRL NEWS
DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH: Best NRL players without a deal for 2023
KANGAROOS: Mal confirms mass changes as six NRL stars earn Test debut
HOOPS: Dragons’ Griffin call backfired. Now a youngster is rubbing salt in the wound
TRANSFER WHISPERS: Five clubs circle Knights star; Italy gun’s NRL audition
Doueihi spoke to Atkins post match to apologise and clarify what was said.
Atkins did not see Doueihi utter the words, but was convinced they came from his mouth and the panel ultimately sided with the referee.
“GA confirms it was said in a tone directed at him and this was said reasonably loud, and in his opinion was targeted and such words came across in an aggressive manner,” the panel concluded.
The panel determined that the exchange between Atkins and Doueihi moments prior to his send off was crucial and determined that the lack of protest from Doueihi, Moses and members of the coaching staff was an admission of guilt.
Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!!
“He (Atkjins) also made it clear that he used the expression C word as he didn’t want to repeat the offending word in case that could be hear on the television broadcast,” the panel concluded.
“But importantly for us …. having said that to the player, there was no complaint, no denial, not even a request for clarification.
“Not from Mr Doueihi, not from his captain, not from either of the coaches that have been called.
“None of them recall the referees ever using this expression of clarifying in any way why he was sending him off; we find it hard to understand why no one sought to challenge his missal or question or seek to clarify it when what they say they heard could not have amounted to a good reason to dismiss one of their better players at what was a crucial point in the match.”
