Three officials from the Tonga rugby league team are set to receive two-year suspensions following an investigation by the National Rugby League (NRL) related to the treatment of player Eli Katoa. The inquiry was triggered by incidents during the Pacific Championship Test against New Zealand, held at Auckland’s Eden Park on November 2, which led to Katoa suffering multiple head injuries.
Katoa has been in recovery since the game, even undergoing brain surgery due to the severity of the head knocks he sustained. The NRL has issued breach notices to the head and assistant doctors of the Tonga team, as well as the head trainer, concerning their management and treatment of Katoa on the field.
The breach notices recommend that the head and assistant doctors be prohibited from participating with any club, team, or player in NRL and representative competitions for at least two years. The head trainer is also facing a two-year suspension, while the team’s medical assistant has received a formal warning but is not subject to the same level of sanction.
This incident underscores the ongoing discussions about player welfare and safety in contact sports, particularly regarding the handling of concussion-related injuries. The NRL’s decisive actions demonstrate a commitment to uphold the standards of care for athletes, emphasizing the importance of proper medical protocols in the sport.
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