Pretty sure TDS is Portuguese not Lebanese, but point still stands that the other 3 were playing. Feels like our club has had a lot of Lebanese players over time as well, so I feel if it was truly as offensive as some people (who also conveniently ignore Kiraz doing it) say it is then I'm sure the club would have officially apologised and sanctioned the players who did it.
Benny is Isaac Moses cousin I'm pretty sure and I have a feeling he was behind this to divert the media attention away from Galvin.
I think the penalty the players got was exactly what they deserved. The khawd to my knowledge (I'm not Lebanese so only what I've heard others say) is the equivalent of the middle finger but not as universal. While if a player used the middle finger I would find it funny I still don't think it is appropriate in a professional setting and would expect them to be fined some amount. The difference with the khawd is it hasn't been used before or in such an obvious manner so the NRL has to set a precedent that such behaviour is unacceptable and would expect the next instance of this gesture to receive some sort of fine.
I found it quite funny over the last week watching dogs fan fully melt down over this gesture while literally nobody else had as much an issue with it. I saw things on their forum about how they'd never dream of doing that to another Arabic man, but also conveniently ignoring Kiraz doing it to an Arabic man. I also saw how they said they were going to pound us and whatever next time we play them (not sure why they didn't just do it last week then). How this is another team they hate. The MEDIA has been silent. And their (Tigers) fans have been so cocky and over the top in celebrating, seemingly forgetting their own past behaviour but also the context behind such a matchup and the fact the only articles after than game were not "Tigers upset Dogs in revenge win against Galvin" but "Tigers whacked for disgraceful act", "NRL investigates Tigers 'highly offensive' middle eastern gesture" . I did previously enjoy watching the dogs rise, but the past few months have unfortunately soured that feeling. Anyway we move on.
