RND 11, 2009: Sharks v Dragons at Toyota Stadium

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Paea urged to speak up on racial slur

Paea urged to speak up on racial slurBrisbane Times, AustraliaSAINT George Illawarra forward Mickey Paea has been urged to proceed with racial abuse allegations against Cronulla captain Paul Gallen. Chasing Gallen after a tackle on the weekend, Paea could be heard to say, "Don't ever say that again" and he told ...

Source: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/sport/league/paea-urged-to-speak-up-on-racial-slur-20090525-bjlg.html

Paea urged to speak up on racial slur
Brad Walter and Jamie Pandaram
May 25, 2009 - 12:42AM

SAINT George Illawarra forward Mickey Paea has been urged to proceed with racial abuse allegations against Cronulla captain Paul Gallen.

Chasing Gallen after a tackle on the weekend, Paea could be heard to say, "Don't ever say that again" and he told the match officials, "He called me a black c---. He's a racist".

Dragons skipper Ben Hornby told the referees that Paea wanted to make a formal complaint, but when pressed, he changed his mind.

But other players said they would support Paea if he wanted to take the matter further.

"If it was me I probably would have told the ref," Test star Frank Pritchard said. "I don't think any racial slur should be tolerated."

Former NSW origin player Anthony Mundine, who lodged a complaint that led to Bulldogs prop Barry Ward being suspended for racial comments in 1998, described racism as a "cancer in the game" and said the NRL had to act as many players felt uncomfortable making a complaint.

"Paea should be encouraged and supported to stand up against that sort of stuff because it's been going on for too long and it has to be stopped," Mundine said.

 

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I've forgiven Gallen for racial slur, says Paea

I've forgiven Gallen for racial slur, says PaeaThe Australian, AustraliaST GEORGE Illawarra forward Mickey Paea says he has forgiven Paul Gallen for the alleged racial slur which has placed a cloud over the Cronulla star's future as club captain. Paea, who declined to make an official complaint after allegedly being called ...

Source: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25531577-5012431,00.html

I've forgiven Gallen for racial slur, says Paea
Brent Read
May 25, 2009

ST GEORGE Illawarra forward Mickey Paea says he has forgiven Paul Gallen for the alleged racial slur which has placed a cloud over the Cronulla star's future as club captain.

Paea, who declined to make an official complaint after allegedly being called a "black ...." at Toyota Stadium on Saturday night, said Gallen had apologised to him after the match.

He declined to take the matter any further when approached by officials on Saturday night and he was determined to let the matter rest yesterday, even if it means the NRL is powerless to act against Gallen.

"It's done and dusted," Paea said.

"I have already moved on. He apologised. He's sorry. I know I have said some bad things myself in the heat of the moment.

"Some things are said in the heat of battle. There's probably a lot more things that have been said that haven't been picked up.

"He didn't mean what he said. Like I said it's all done and dusted. I have said some things in the past and I know that he was sorry.

"I have forgiven him and I have moved on, I know he's sorry, genuinely sorry."

The normally placid Paea exploded with anger on Saturday night following a tackle involving Gallen.

He could be clearly heard on the Fox Sports audio saying: "He called me a black ...., he's a racist'."

NRL officials will today ask for audio from the company which supplies microphones to the referees as they continue their investigation into the incident.

In the meantime, Sharks chief executive Tony Zappia will hold talks with Gallen. The Sharks captain has been warned previously about his behaviour following a string of suspensions.

If he is found guilty of racial vilification, it could be the last straw for the Sharks.

"I will speak to him just like I do every Monday when there are incidents, whether it's with Paul Gallen or someone else," Zappia said.

By then, Gallen and Paea are likely to have spoken on the phone. Paea yesterday revealed his cousin Anthony Tupou - a teammate of Gallen at the Sharks - had contacted him on behalf of the Cronulla skipper.

"I was pretty fired up at the time. It's not like me to be like that," Paea said. "The boys have given me their support. They're happy with the way I handled it.

"I could have carried on (but) I think I have made the right call. Like I said, I have said some things in the past and I know he is sorry.

"He's obviously a leader within his club and a senior player. He would know better than to act the way he did last night.

"But as I said, it's done. If I have forgiven him and moved on ... I think it is just between us, to tell you the truth."

However, Paea made it clear there was no place for racism in the game.

"I don't think it needs to be part of our game - any racism," he said.

Despite Paea's insistence on not making a big deal out of the incident, others have been highly critical of Gallen. The Sharks skipper declined to comment when contacted by The Australian yesterday, saying only that there was "nothing in it".

However, the head of the ARL's indigenous council, William "Smiley" Johnstone, said if the allegations were proved, Gallen should be punished.

"Paul Gallen is a Test player," Johnstone said.

"He would have played with some indigenous and Aboriginal players. I just think it's totally unacceptable."

The NRL has the power to act against Gallen under its racial-vilification laws as well as the players' code of conduct, but its chances of success are slim without Paea's testimony.

The match review committee has the power to charge Gallen with contrary conduct and will begin an investigation into the incident this morning. However, the match review committee will also struggle to get a conviction should Paea, or his club, fail to lodge a formal complaint.

 

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Tupou brokers Gallen peace deal

Tupou brokers Gallen peace dealDaily Telegraph, AustraliaWith no formal complaint, the NRL's match review committee cannot act. Gallen has not indicated whether he made any comment. But by apologising, Cronulla officials fear Gallen would then be deemed guilty and could be charged. ...

Source: http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/sport/nrl/story/0,26799,25532642-5006066,00.html

Tupou brokers Gallen peace deal
By Dean Ritchie
May 25, 2009 12:00am

Alleged racial slur...Sharks captain Paul Gallen. Picture: Anthony Reginato. / The Daily Telegraph

SHARKS forward Anthony Tupou has been called in as the peacemaker in the Paul Gallen-Mickey Paea racism row.

Tupou rang Paea - the pair are cousins - yesterday morning and told him Cronulla teammate Gallen wanted to speak to the Dragons forward.

The contents of the conversation remain private, but it is believed the Sharks hardman did not apologise for allegedly making a racist comment.

Gallen said yesterday he was not commenting on the matter.

A lack of audio from the incident in Saturday night's clash could save the Cronulla captain from any possible suspension for racial vilification.

Fox Sports microphones picked up Paea claiming he was abused racially by Gallen but could not pick up any comments from the Sharks skipper.

Paea declined to make a formal complaint on the field and after the match.

With no formal complaint, the NRL's match review committee cannot act.

Gallen has not indicated whether he made any comment. But by apologising, Cronulla officials fear Gallen would then be deemed guilty and could be charged.

The drama erupted in the 73rd minute after Paea said Gallen had called him a "black . . . ." Paea confronted Gallen after a tackle and was heard to say: "He called me a black . . . . - he's a racist."

And even when referees Tony De Las Heras and Jason Robinson tried to separate the players, Paea continued to rage at the Sharks captain.

NRL chief operating officer Graham Annesley said it was difficult to obtain enough evidence to lay a charge.

"Our information is that no complaint will be made by the player," he said. "Therefore, it doesn't fall under our racial vilification code unless any other evidence comes forward that we are unaware of. The matter can't be taken further without a complaint."

Dragons CEO Peter Doust said: "As far as the club and the player are concerned, the matter is settled."

 

[ROB SHARK]

Paea doesnt want to go on with it so get over it.

 

[pandapat]

F*ck the media.

 

[Ramzyv1]

F*ck the media.

The media has been really bad during this vulnerable time but players like Gallen and Maitua havent helped matters with stupidity like this.

 

[slide rule]

It's a stupid thing to say, he was frustrated and he said it. It was a heat of the moment thing and he put very little thought in to it.

I wouldn’t be too offended by it if I were black. It's obvious that he isn't a racist as half of his team mates are black.

I’m probably going to be unpopular, but I want to say this anyway:

I think there is a lot of hypocrisy surrounding these issues.

They say how proud they are to be black but at the same time they are deeply offended by it.

They want to have a game at the end of the year between the NRL All-stars and the Indigenous players. Just so all the “black” players can play together. I think this is divisive and should not go ahead. You can’t have it both ways. You can’t call yourself black only when it suits you.

If you are offended by the divisive nature of these types of comments, you should not want to have a game that is based solely around racial discrimination.

 

[ROB SHARK]

but it was probably the way gal said it that offended paea.
Anyway get over it and move on.

 

[Ramzyv1]

It's a stupid thing to say, he was frustrated and he said it. It was a heat of the moment thing and he put very little thought in to it.

I wouldn’t be too offended by it if I were black. It's obvious that he isn't a racist as half of his team mates are black.

I’m probably going to be unpopular, but I want to say this anyway:

I think there is a lot of hypocrisy surrounding these issues.

They say how proud they are to be black but at the same time they are deeply offended by it.

They want to have a game at the end of the year between the NRL All-stars and the Indigenous players. Just so all the “black” players can play together. I think this is divisive and should not go ahead. You can’t have it both ways. You can’t call yourself black only when it suits you.

If you are offended by the divisive nature of these types of comments, you should not want to have a game that is based solely around racial discrimination.

Look i actually agree with you to an extent as when I watch a chris rock stand up thing for example and he starts going on about stupid stuff white people do etc and I kinda think, imagine if a white guy started generalising about black people heaps in his act there would be a public outcry!

But in this case the line being drawn is that Gallen discriminated in a negative comment and the proposed game is discriminating to promote pride for that community and is done in a positive way to do something special for players and fans of that community.

 

[Mark^Bastard]

but it was probably the way gal said it that offended paea.
Anyway get over it and move on.

That's it.

And like Paea said, it's all under the bridge now and he himself has made comments in the heat of the moment. Probably called some people white ****s hahahahaha.

It's all good. It's footy. It's not ****ing an episode of Neighbours really is it

 

[Ramzyv1]

Gallen has been fined 10 grand and the pressure to remove him as captain has increased. This story looks like it still has some legs and exposure before its done. Damn!

 

[brad]

and the people involved would have nothing to do with this story increasing in exposure. more media blowup

 

[hitman124]

It's a stupid thing to say, he was frustrated and he said it. It was a heat of the moment thing and he put very little thought in to it.

I wouldn’t be too offended by it if I were black. It's obvious that he isn't a racist as half of his team mates are black.

I’m probably going to be unpopular, but I want to say this anyway:

I think there is a lot of hypocrisy surrounding these issues.

They say how proud they are to be black but at the same time they are deeply offended by it.

They want to have a game at the end of the year between the NRL All-stars and the Indigenous players. Just so all the “black” players can play together. I think this is divisive and should not go ahead. You can’t have it both ways. You can’t call yourself black only when it suits you.

If you are offended by the divisive nature of these types of comments, you should not want to have a game that is based solely around racial discrimination.

Slide, I couldnt agree with you more. Black people say they want to be seen no different than anyone else, yet they have no problem getting special entrances in universities and certain jobs.

 

[ROB SHARK]

now the nrl want cronulla to stand gallen down as captain.

 

[JimBob]

Black people hate it when a white person says the N word, how do they know calling us a cracker isn't offensive to us????

 

[sharky94]

yeah or albino or white n nerdy

 

[ROB SHARK]

or yellow or -.-

 

[sandman77]

Ultimatly Gals did the wrong thin, But if Mickey is over it and cool with it, then what happens on the field should stay on the field,

That being said Gal needs to learn, he frustrates me he always seems to **** up, he needs to take responsibility as a captin to lead by example

 

[Ramzyv1]

He's the one who fires the team up and is an inspirational leader and if its not him as captain it will be Barrett, and i dont think he is what we need right now. So I want him to stay captain but be smarter.

Also i dont think the media will stay on this for long. The headlines will be about our finances and survival plan for a day or 2 and then Maitua's B sample will come back and take the headlines.

 

[ROB SHARK]

Also i dont think the media will stay on this for long. The headlines will be about our finances and survival plan for a day or 2 and then Maitua's B sample will come back and take the headlines.

Yea i think youre right.