Penrith Panthers head coach Ivan Cleary has been handed a suspension by the NRL following a controversial incident that occurred during last weekend’s match against the Sydney Roosters. The suspension, which will see Cleary sidelined for the next two games, comes after an investigation into comments made during a post-match interview that were deemed to breach the league’s conduct guidelines.
The NRL confirmed the decision this afternoon, citing Cleary’s failure to maintain the expected standards of behavior, which has sparked significant debate in the rugby league community. The coach, who led the Panthers to multiple NRL titles, was accused of making inflammatory remarks about refereeing decisions that were seen as undermining the integrity of the game.
In a statement released by the league, NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said, “The NRL has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to actions that bring the game into disrepute. While we acknowledge Ivan Cleary’s invaluable contributions to the sport, it is essential that all individuals in the game adhere to the expected code of conduct.”
Cleary, who has been at the helm of the Panthers since 2018, expressed regret over the incident in his own statement, apologizing to the league, the club, and its supporters. “I accept the decision and understand the importance of upholding the values of the game. I take full responsibility for my actions and will work to ensure this doesn’t happen again,” he said.
During his absence, assistant coach Cameron Ciraldo will take over the coaching duties for the upcoming matches. The Panthers are gearing up for their next game against the Melbourne Storm, with the team looking to maintain their strong form despite the coaching setback.
This suspension marks a rare instance of disciplinary action involving one of the NRL’s most respected coaches, and it is expected to be a topic of discussion throughout the rugby league community in the coming days.
