- John Hopoate banned from Wests Tigers activities
- A famous former NRL star abused and threatened an official
- He is best known for a series of shocking incidents on the pitch.
Notorious NRL bad boy John Hopoate has reportedly been banned for life from Wests Tigers functions after abusing a senior football official at a function last week.
Hopoate, 50, is perhaps sadly better known for a series of shocking incidents on and off the pitch than for the football he played during a successful 200-match career.
The huge footballer infamously stuck his finger up the backsides of three of his opponents during a match in 2001, in an incident that made global headlines for all the wrong reasons.
He was suspended for 12 matches for that incident, while he has been banned for 47 matches over his career, an unwanted NRL record.
He is no stranger to controversy since his career ended, Wide world of sports It is now reported that Hopoate “abused and threatened” NSWRL chief executive Dave Trodden at the Tigers’ 25th anniversary gala dinner.
The article claims that Hopoate’s abuse was so severe that Trodden and his family had to leave the performance while officials escorted him to his car.
“It was disgraceful and he will not be welcome at Tigers functions in the future,” Tigers boss Shane Richardson told Wide World of Sports.
Hopoate’s anger is reportedly fuelled by a decision by the NSWRL to bar him from coaching junior rugby league.
John Hopoate (pictured) has been banned for life from Wests Tigers duties after abusing a senior football official at a function.
Hopoate allegedly “abused and threatened” NSWRL chief executive Dave Trodden
One person who witnessed the incident told WWOS: “It was horrible to watch and everyone was able to talk about it afterwards.”
The Tigers club have reportedly apologised to Trodden for the unpleasant incident.
The celebrated former NRL star has worked in a variety of roles since retiring in 2005.
He initially tried his hand at professional boxing before accepting a job as a bouncer at a Kings Cross pub in 2010.
However, later that year he was involved in a fight in which a customer was killed.
Hopoate turned to boxing after finishing his football career
Hopoate eventually returned to Manly, the club where he played 181 NRL games, as a part-time coach.
As his family continued to grow, he competed in several more boxing events, including bouts against former NRL star Paul Gallen and former world champion Lucas Browne.