CNN
—
Australian rugby league player Corey Norman has been suspended for eight games and fined £500 (approx.
The incident happened between Toulouse’s Norman and Warrington Wolves’ Oliver Holmes during last Thursday’s match between the two teams.
Norman, 31, who played for 11 years in Australia’s National Rugby League before joining Toulouse in April, has pleaded not guilty to the offence.
But the tribunal’s chair, Judge Sarah Wright, and the two side members, both former players, were “completely satisfied” that the act was intentional.
Holmes complained about the incident during the game and also made a statement before the tribunal.
“The footage of the incident shows a deliberate movement of Corey Norman’s left arm and hand over Oliver Holmes and on to his buttocks,” the ruling reads.
“At no point does the footage show the shorts being grabbed to push Oliver Holmes down as described by Corey Norman.”
Visit CNN.com/sport for more news, videos and features
Norman first announced his retirement from rugby league late last year before returning to the sport on a deal with Toulouse that runs until the end of the current season.
The French are currently bottom of the Super League and have four games left this season.