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FORMER NRL bad boy John Hopoate is in trouble again - this time for allegedly threatening a rugby union referee and requesting they settle their dispute in "the carpark".
Hopoate has been banned from playing the code until he faces a disciplinary hearing on a charge of using threatening and abusive language against an official.
The man allegedly on the receiving end of Hopoate's anger was Nathan Pearce, who was officiating in a Sevens tournament on the Central Coast when the incident occurred last October.
Details of the incident have only now emerged publicly and come days after police revealed Hopoate would not be charged over the fatal bashing of a man outside a Kings Cross nightclub.
The boxer and former league star still faces charges relating to a brawl near the Trademark Hotel on December 18, after which Wilson Duque Castillo, 33, died.
On October 9 last year Hopoate, 36, was playing for the Te Whanau side against Queensland's Bombers in the final of the Central Coast Sevens at Wyong.
Referee Pearce sent Hopoate from the field, allegedly sparking an exchange which finished with the footballer inviting Mr Pearce to take their dispute to "the carpark" of Morrie Breen Oval.
A NSW Rugby Union spokesman said the dissent charge against Hopoate was at the "top end" of the scale.
"It allegedly involved a fair bit of swearing and threatening language," the spokesman said.
"A report has been prepared. [Hopoate] will have to face the judiciary before he can play again."
If found guilty Hopoate could be suspended from playing rugby union for up to a year. He is contracted to play rugby league for the Toukley Hawks on the Central Coast this year.
Club spokeswoman Lynda Scown yesterday said the Hawks would honour Hopoate's contract because the criminal and disciplinary charges he faces have not been ruled upon.
Hopoate has a long disciplinary history in rugby league. In 2001 he received a 12-match ban for inserting his fingers between an opponent's buttocks while playing for Wests Tigers.
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The damage this bloke has done to our brand still continues ten years later!!! Toukley need to take a good hard look at themselves!!!
Hopoate has been banned from playing the code until he faces a disciplinary hearing on a charge of using threatening and abusive language against an official.
The man allegedly on the receiving end of Hopoate's anger was Nathan Pearce, who was officiating in a Sevens tournament on the Central Coast when the incident occurred last October.
Details of the incident have only now emerged publicly and come days after police revealed Hopoate would not be charged over the fatal bashing of a man outside a Kings Cross nightclub.
The boxer and former league star still faces charges relating to a brawl near the Trademark Hotel on December 18, after which Wilson Duque Castillo, 33, died.
On October 9 last year Hopoate, 36, was playing for the Te Whanau side against Queensland's Bombers in the final of the Central Coast Sevens at Wyong.
Referee Pearce sent Hopoate from the field, allegedly sparking an exchange which finished with the footballer inviting Mr Pearce to take their dispute to "the carpark" of Morrie Breen Oval.
A NSW Rugby Union spokesman said the dissent charge against Hopoate was at the "top end" of the scale.
"It allegedly involved a fair bit of swearing and threatening language," the spokesman said.
"A report has been prepared. [Hopoate] will have to face the judiciary before he can play again."
If found guilty Hopoate could be suspended from playing rugby union for up to a year. He is contracted to play rugby league for the Toukley Hawks on the Central Coast this year.
Club spokeswoman Lynda Scown yesterday said the Hawks would honour Hopoate's contract because the criminal and disciplinary charges he faces have not been ruled upon.
Hopoate has a long disciplinary history in rugby league. In 2001 he received a 12-match ban for inserting his fingers between an opponent's buttocks while playing for Wests Tigers.
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The damage this bloke has done to our brand still continues ten years later!!! Toukley need to take a good hard look at themselves!!!
