Corey Norman, the Toulouse-stand off rugby star, has been handed an eight-game ban after being found guilty of intentionally placing a hand between the buttocks of Warrington’s Oliver Holmes.
Norman has been charged with the highest possible offense following the incident during their 32-18 Betfred Super League defeat on Thursday.
As a result, he will play no further part in the French side’s battle to avoid relegation this season.
Despite pleading not guilty at his disciplinary hearing for being charged with a Grade F offense of ‘Other Contrary Behavior,’ Her Honour Justice Sarah Wright, who chaired the tribunal, stated that the panel was ‘entirely satisfied’ the act was deliberate. Along with the ban, Norman was also fined £500.
Subject to a successful appeal, Norman will miss the remainder of the season. The verdict could potentially mark the end of his career since he only came out of retirement to sign a short-term deal with Toulouse.
The ruling, published by the Rugby Football League, highlighted: ‘The footage of the incident shows a deliberate movement of Corey Norman’s left arm and hand over the top of Oliver Holmes and onto his buttocks.
The footage does not show a grabbing of the shorts to push Oliver Holmes down, as described by Corey Norman.”
The ruling continued: ‘The footage shows a deliberate placing of Corey Norman’s hands and fingers on the buttocks, and coupled with the immediate complaint from Holmes, the reaction of his teammate Danny Walker, and Holmes’s statement, we are entirely satisfied that this was an intentional placing of a hand between the buttocks of the opposing player and we find the charge proved.’
Since making his Super League debut in May, Norman has started all 11 matches.