Manly prop Addin Fonua-Blake is fined $20,000 and told to volunteer at wheelchair rugby league games for calling referee Grant Atkins 'a f***ing retard' during a game on Sunday.
NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said he hoped the actions taken by the league would help drive change."I do not believe Addin missing more matches will enhance his understanding or respect for people with a disability but embarking on a program such as this will have a lifelong impact on his thinking.
"I see this as an opportunity to provide positive change for Addin and his experiences will also rub off on the broader playing group. Increasing the suspension is an easy decision but what is more important is driving change in attitudes." Fonua-Blake apologised to the referees for his abuse on the day, and in a video released by the club, he said he was not aware of how derogatory the term was.
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