Young gun stood down in latest black eye for NRL
Brisbane star Payne Haas has been suspended for the first four rounds of the NRL premiership and fined $20,000 for failing to co-operate fully with the NRL integrity unit.
The 19-year-old has been stood down by the club over his response to two off-field incidents involving family members.
Broncos CEO Paul White stressed Haas had not committed any alleged acts of violence but the club needed to send a message that players must do their bit to uphold the image of the code.
“Payne’s level of co-operation with the investigation by the NRL Integrity Unit fell short of expectations and the standards set by our club,” White said.
“We see this is as a mistake made by a young man and we are confident Payne will learn his lesson.
“We hope this sends a strong message the the values and conduct of everyone at the Brisbane Broncos is of the utmost importance to the club.”
Haas played for Brisbane last weekend in a trial game at Warwick but has been pulled from the side despite being named to play in Saturday’s trial against Queensland Cup side Wynnum Manly.
White said the NRL’s troubled off-season had no bearing on the heavy nature of the penalty.
He said Haas had since spoken to the Integrity Unit and the investigation had been closed.
The CEO said new head coach Anthony Seibold was a key contributor to the punishment handed down and hoped his hard line sent a message to the squad.
