Jaeman Salmon's family has called on the NRL to take action against Ricky Stuart after the Canberra coach labelled the Penrith playmaker a "weak-gutted dog".
Key points:
- Ricky Stuart apologised for his comments regarding Jaeman Salmon on Saturday night
- A statement from the Salmon family said they were "disappointed" in Stuart
- NRL chief Andrew Abdo said the league would take "a close look" at the comments
Stuart apologised on Sunday after making the comments in a post-match press conference, claiming he was speaking as a father and not as a coach during the outburst.
The feud is believed to relate to a dispute from more than a decade ago, when Salmon and Stuart's son played football in the same team in a Cronulla juniors competition.
The issue boiled over again when Stuart was asked about Salmon appearing to lash out with his foot in a tackle, with his boot connecting with Raider Tom Starling's groin and face.
Stuart's comments in Canberra came as emotions ran high, with the Raiders' 26-6 loss to the Panthers leaving them in a struggle to make the NRL top-eight.
"I regret saying what I did on that platform after the game," Stuart said in statement on Sunday.
"I was speaking as a father and not as a football coach. My reaction was to a family situation that I thought I had dealt with. Clearly I haven't.
"I allowed my emotions to get the better of me and for that I'm sorry.
"There is a history between Jaeman Salmon and my family that I will not go into.
"I should not have brought it up after the game, but it just got the better of me. I am truly sorry."
Salmon's family remain far from impressed, with legal action against Stuart an option.
"We were disappointed by the comments of Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart after what was a fantastic game of football for the Panthers and our son, Jaeman," the family said in a statement.
"We were surprised by Ricky's claim that he knows Jaeman personally as they have had no contact since Jae was 12 years old.
"We are calling on the NRL to take action as we believe Jaeman has been wronged in this situation.
"We will follow the correct procedures and let the NRL complete a thorough investigation."
The 23-year-old was given a grade-one contrary conduct charge over the on-field incident by the match review committee on Sunday and faces a fine of $1,000 with an early guilty plea.
NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo also confirmed it would be a matter for the integrity unit.
Stuart has been fined more than $100,000 throughout his coaching career and there is some thought his latest comments could prompt a suspension.
"Clearly the comments are disappointing and we're going to take a close look at them," Abdo told Sky Sports Radio.
"It's a live matter, clearly it is very serious, we will take a look at it and understand all the facts.
"Whenever there is an issue like this we ask the integrity unit to take a look at it.
"And obviously as the decision-maker I need to involve myself and speak to the respective parties as well."
Replies
Honestly , an apology not to the player but just " sorry " that he aired his dirty laundry in public. What kind of flog holds a grudge from when a bloke was 12 playing kiddies footy with his son? Ricky always seems to bring his kids into it whenever he fucks up the weak coward. Quits Parra because of his daughter wanting a new special school, now he is slagging players off because the player was obviously having a 12 year old boy drama with his son over a decade ago.
Time to de-register this nutjob from the game. Just shows how shit a coach Ricky is when his son couldn't play NRL but Salmon can.
Agree and not 1 footy commentator is willing to say what a grub Stuart is or that he should be dealt with severely. Some commentators are gutless.
I think Corey Parker said his comments were disgraceful - but there should be way more condemnation.
Yeah, Parker was the only commentator that spoke up . Most have been tight lipped
All this 'gutted dog' chat has done a great job of distracting from the fact the rickys poorly coached raiders got pumped at their home ground by a Panthers team missing both their starting halves.
Agreed. I wonder whether he planned to take the focus off his coaching and the team by doing it? Normally, I would say he ain't smart enough to think ahead like that. However, even a moron, having been sacked by multiple other clubs, would have learnt a few tricks in self preservation along the way. Poorly executed in any event.
Paul Kent in the fox sports dressing room before NRL360
Post of the year mick
I'll be watching NRL360 should be interesting FI
Stuart carries himself like he is always the victim. He never has anything nice to say about the NRL and never takes responsibility for his teams performanc. He never seems happy. Some time out of the game might do him some good.
Imagine having your kid coached by him! ?
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