Sport: Minister demands official be banned for attack

1:27 pm on 8 September 2015

The Papua New Guinea Sports Minister says a local rugby league official should be banned for life after attacking a referee at the end of the Digicel Cup final in Port Moresby.

The annual Prime Minister's rugby league clash between Australia and Papua New Guinea will be held at Sir John Guise Stadium in Port Moresby, which also hosted the Pacific Games.

The annual Prime Minister's rugby league clash between Australia and Papua New Guinea will be held at Sir John Guise Stadium in Port Moresby, which also hosted the Pacific Games. Photo: Facebook / Hon Justin W Tkatchenko MP

The Agmark Gurias beat the Simbu Lions 26-18 at Sir John Guise Stadium on Saturday.

The game ended in controversy when a drunk fan threw a beer can at one of the visiting referees from Queensland and a member of the Simbu team also attacked an official.

Sports Minister Justin Tkatchenko says the offenders will be dealt with severely.

PNG Sports Minister Justin Tkatchenko.

PNG Sports Minister Justin Tkatchenko. Photo: Facebook / Hon Justin W Tkatchenko MP

"That official from the losing side was arrested, put in the Boroko cells and will face the full brunt of the law. I've demanded that that official never play or be part of rugby league, Digicel Cup ever again because of his disgraceful behaviour. We can not tolerate this sort of rubbish anymore and we will not tolerate it".

Justin Tkatchenko says the fan managed to escape in the crowd but he believes his identity is known and that police will track him down.

He says it's up to the Digicel Cup officials to assess any further punishment for the Simbu team, which could see them cancelled from the competition.