Footy boss Phil Gould cops huge fine after labelling the NRL ‘stupid’ in furious outburst
- Phil Gould has been fined $20,000
- Footy boss hit out at the NRL
- Comes in the middle of a conflict of interest debate
The NRL has fined Phil Gould $20,000 over a TV rant, accusing the Canterbury supremo of launching a “destructive attack” on the game.
Dissatisfied with Gould labeling the game as ‘stupid’ on Monday night on the Nine Network, the NRL hit the Bulldogs’ general manager with an infringement notice on Thursday.
Gould will be asked to pay $10,000 to the head office, while a further $10,000 will be suspended pending further breaches over the next twelve months.
The former coach has long combined his role as a club official at Penrith, the Warriors and Bulldogs with his job as a TV analyst.
Concerns from rival clubs about Gould’s comments led to a meeting between himself and NRL bosses last year, but he had yet to be fined until this week.
Phil Gould has been fined for his angry outburst on Channel 9 last Monday
The Canterbury boss made eyebrow-raising comments about the 100% Footy show
But the NRL believes Gould crossed the line during a discussion about the rules of the game.
“Our game is so stupid,” Gould said on 100% Footy.
‘You can lose the ball over the line by scoring a try, right? And you get a 20-yard penalty and seven tackles. Why? I don’t know, because it’s stupid.
‘But I can just catch a line failure and if it goes full throttle or doesn’t go 10 metres, it has no consequences, nothing at all. What kind of stupid game is this?
‘Who sits there and makes up these rules?
“Benemmers, oh he didn’t have his eyes on the ball and he bumped into him and ran after him. Obstruction.
“Api Koroisau’s (no) try (against Brisbane, what the hell was that? What the hell was that? … We’re so stupid with our rules. Our game is stupid.”
The NRL said on Thursday the comments were detrimental to the interests of the game.
“We welcome constructive criticism and passionate opinions,” NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said.
“But registered officials must not overstep their mark and make comments that are considered detrimental to the game or the NRL competition.
“Destructive attacks on the game itself will not be tolerated.
He hit out at a decision to disallow a Wests Tigers try this weekend
“This is a professional sport and our leaders must set the standard around reasoned debate and respect for the game.”
Gould took to social media after receiving the infringement notice to post ‘Rugby League… It’s a funny game…’ on X.
Canterbury utility player Jaeman Salmon also argued on Thursday that Gould should be able to speak freely on television.
“Gus can say whatever he wants,” Salmon said.
‘He has been around long enough and is in a position where he can express his opinion.
“He’s been in rugby league for a long time. Whatever Gus is thinking, he can say it.”
Gould has until next Thursday to decide whether to accept the fine or fight it.