Footy star in hot water after allegedly hurling vile four-letter slur at referee

Mikaele Ravalawa’s hopes of returning to the St George Illawarra NRL squad have suffered another blow, with the winger referred straight to the NSWRL judge for verbal abuse.

Ravalawa was charged by the NSWRL on Monday for swearing at a linesman in Friday night’s NSW Cup match against Parramatta.

The winger was sent off late in the match after expressing his frustration when the Eels’ winning try was awarded despite the hint of a knock on.

Ravalawa is said to have said ‘what the f***, ****’ to a match official after the try was awarded to put Parramatta ahead 18-14.

A contrite Ravalawa approached the referee after the match to say sorry.

“I apologized after the match,” Ravalawa said.

The Dragons star was playing in the NSW Cup when he reportedly made the comment

“It wasn’t professional and I’m sorry.”

The NSWRL opted on Monday not to give Ravalawa a predetermined grade, leaving it to the judiciary to decide the winger’s punishment on Thursday evening.

At his best, Ravalawa can be one of the most damaging wingers in the NRL. He scored 67 tries in 96 NRL games and also topped the Dragons’ scoring charts in 2021.

But he is now on the outside in Wollongong.

Ravalawa was contracted until the end of 2026 and was dropped two weeks ago despite the Saints fielding an already decimated backline.

This seems to have put him behind Mat and Max Feagai in the pecking order, as well as Sione Finau.

“He has been struggling with a knee and foot injury in recent months and I don’t think we have seen the best of Mika,” coach Shane Flanagan said at the time.

“The group has been told several times that I will give the seniors some leeway, but I have to put together the best team.”

Any ban will deny Ravalawa the chance to regain selection in the near future, with NSWRL suspensions also transferring to the NRL.