Former teammate banned over 'inappropriate' Jarryd Hayne move

Former NRL star Krisnan Inu has been slapped with a two-month ban and fined one month's wages by his UK club, in response to comments the player made about Jarryd Hayne's sentencing.

Inu - a former teammate of Hayne's at Parramatta - hit out over the May court ruling that saw his friend sentenced to three years and eight months in prison after being found guilty of raping a young woman in Newcastle in 2018.

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The 34-year-old Inu - who plays league for UK club Salford - reacted in anger to Hayne's sentencing after claiming justice was not served.

Inu wrote: “Not enough words can express how I’m feeling for my lil bro."

“Don’t think justice was served to it’s proper intent. To the so called victim. Hope you actually get the help you need, because the things that was said about my boy, wasn’t what he’s about. Never has, never will be.

“I’m praying for you my Uso. Keep your faith strong like it has been, and let your loved ones come together to help look after your family. Love you Bula.

“And to his loving family, if there’s anything youse need, I got youse.”

Having carried out an investigation into Inu's comments, a Salford disciplinary panel concluded the 34-year-old former New Zealand international had brought the club into disrepute.

"Inu has been fined four weeks' salary and will be suspended from play for two months commencing from the original suspension day," a statement said.

"Furthermore, Inu will be attending a mandatory education program which is currently being developed in conjunction with the University of Salford.

"The program will cover comms, social media protocol and wider community and social issues to better prepare players with social engagement.

"The club currently has wide-ranging regulations regarding appropriate behaviour and are looking to expand on these with mandatory workshops relating to consent, respect and inclusivity for all Salford Red Devils players and staff.

"We believe that the best way to affect cultural change is through education and development and we will publish more details about this program as they become available."

Inu sorry for bringing club in disrepute

Salford say Inu, who has not played for the club since April, had apologised for any offence caused and appreciates the language he used may have been misinterpreted.

The club also issued a statement from the player, who apologised for any "offence and disrepute" that his comments caused.

Inu said: "I deeply apologise for the comments made in my social media postings on May 6.

"By the inappropriate use of language, my remarks were open to misinterpretation and have caused offence and disrepute to my club Salford Red Devils and the RFL.

"Along with the club, I will not condone any violence against another person and truly believe that any such victim should receive appropriate support."

The Rugby Football League separately found Inu guilty of misconduct but, in view of the club's actions, decided not to impose any additional sanction.

However, the RFL says it reserves the right to impose further and more severe sanctions in the event of repeated, similar offences.

with AAP

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