See the disgraceful moment NRL star stomps his studs into the face of an opponent who’d just been knocked out cold
- Former first-grader pleaded guilty to stomping on his head
- NSWRL has stepped in and imposed a massive ban
Former Newcastle Knights player Steve Gordon faces a 12-match ban after allegedly hitting his boot in the face of a rival who had just been knocked out during a match.
Gordon, who played two games for the Knights in 2007, was sent off on April 20 while playing for Raymond Terrace against Dudley in the Newcastle and Hunter Rugby League A-grade men’s competition, about 160km north of Sydney.
He was accused of stamping on the opponent’s head after being left unconscious on the ground during a tackle moments earlier, and pleaded guilty.
The footage of the match appears to show Gordon throwing a strike with his shoe at another player who is lying on his stomach on the ground
Steven Gordon (pictured centre), who played two games for the Newcastle Knights, faces a 12-match ban for allegedly stamping on an opponent’s head
Now New South Wales Rugby League (NSWRL) boss David Trodden has intervened in a bid to secure a three-month ban from Gordon police after deciding his initial punishment was not nearly tough enough.
The Newcastle Hunter Rugby League judiciary has charged the 37-year-old with third-degree assault. After pleading guilty, Gordon was suspended for two games.
That was despite referee Tom Taylor stating that Gordon “walked up to the ball carrier, who appeared to still be lying unconscious on his back, and stamped directly on his face with the studs of his boot,” according to News Corp.
Dudley president Kody Bridges appealed on the basis of ‘an inadequate penalty’, but the appeal was rejected, even though the referee and three other witnesses claimed they saw Gordon stamp on Dudley striker Joel Williams.
The appeals panel said the video was inconclusive.
NSWRL CEO David Trodden (pictured left, with football legend Brad Fittler, centre) intervened after Gordon was initially suspended for just two matches
Gordon (pictured left trying to tackle Brisbane Broncos great Corey Parker) had initially pleaded guilty to the offense but will face a further hearing by the judiciary
Trodden and the NSWRL intervened and issued the following statement: ‘Following a recent hearing and appeal relating to an incident arising from the match between Raymond Terrace and Dudley on April 20, 2024.
‘NSWRL yesterday issued a further charge of fourth-degree assault against Stephen Gordon of the Raymond Terrace Magpies club. This charge carries a nominal penalty of 1,200 points, which amounts to a twelve-game suspension if convicted.
“The charges will be heard on June 6, 2024 and the player will be banned from participating in rugby league pending the hearing of the charges.”
NHRL competition secretary Shenae Handsaker declined to discuss the matter when contacted.
“This is confidential information,” she said.
‘NHRL has no comment on the suspensions of players within the NHRL competition. Thank you for respecting the privacy of our players.”
Dudley President Kody Bridges also declined to comment until the process is complete.
In addition to his short time with the Knights, Gordon played for over a decade in the Newcastle RL league with Wests and Central, mainly as a back-up.
