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Footy caller refuses to name Robert Lui during broadcasts

Sports commentator Dan Ginnane says he will not refer to Robert Lui by name in any NRL games the footballer plays this season, reports News Ltd.

After Lui pleaded guilty to assaulting his girlfriend Taleah Rae Backo last year, Ginnane said he would call Lui a ‘wife-basher’ during radio broadcasts, but the Triple M commentator has since backed down from that initial vow.

Starting with North Queensland’s game against the Titans this weekend, Ginnane told News Ltd he will call the Townsville footballer “the seven” and “the Cowboys halfback” in protest to his return to the NRL since the Women in League round.

"I don't think we should be celebrating Robert Lui," Ginnane said.

"I just fear that it will be 16-all with a couple of minutes to go, and I tend to get excited in those moments, and I just can't bring myself to get excited yelling his name at the top of my lungs.

Ginnane defended his strong words against Lui, who was released from Wests Tigers in 2011 while facing assault charges.

"I understand the case isn't as cut and dried as we think, and there may be circumstances we don't understand, but the fact is he's a wife-basher.

"I made a statement last year that I wasn't going to call his name. I made a promise and nothing's changed my mind."

Lui signed with the cowboys in 2012, but after pleading guilty to the assault which occurred after Mad Monday festivities, he was given a ban by the NRL which has kept him out of the game until this season. North Queensland extended his contract for a further year last week.

Ginnane’s decision has been supported by the radio station however talks are underway with the NRL.