Latest news with #BenElias
The Guardian
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
How a controversial hand gesture divided opinion in the NRL
The NRL showed leniency on Wednesday by letting off Wests Tigers players with a warning after they used a gesture offensive to some Lebanese-Australian communities in Sunday's victory over Canterbury-Bankstown. But the sanction is unlikely to satisfy everyone given the range of responses elicited, from those outraged to others who believe the act was 'just a bit of banter'. Celebrating a second-half try to seal an upset Tigers' win against the high-flying Bulldogs in pouring rain at Parramatta, backrower Samuela Fainu made a hand gesture known as 'the khawd', and his teammates quickly joined in. Almost one in five residents of Bankstown have Lebanese ancestry, and the Bulldogs' fanbase has a strong association with Arab communities in Sydney's west. The club holds an annual Ifthar dinner each year during Ramadan and one of its favourite sons is Lebanon-born former winger Hazem El-Masri. Many Bulldogs fans in the stands on Sunday took offence at the sign made by the raucous Tigers players, some returning with a khawd of their own, while others put their thumbs down or raised their middle finger. But this was not a straightforward Tigers v Bulldogs debate. NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo admitted on Tuesday he had to 'learn up' about the gesture and its sensitivities. Canterbury-Bankstown Mayor Bilal El-Hayek – who will host a charity sleepout with the Bulldogs on Friday – declined to comment. Lebanese-Australian former Tigers hooker Ben Elias expressed firm views in the immediate aftermath. 'It's an ugly sign of hatred and these are the kind of actions that create issues and problems. It should be removed from the game immediately,' Elias told the Daily Telegraph. 'It was obviously aimed at the Lebanese. It means 'go and get fucked'. There's no need for it and there's no place in the game for it. The last thing you want to see is kids who idolise these players start repeating those hands signs and thinking it's cool.' Not all Lebanese-Australians immediately reach the same conclusions when they see the gesture. Jacob Kiraz, the Bulldogs' backline hero and son of Lebanese migrants, has been pictured using the khawd in a friendly manner. Prominent Bulldogs podcast the Kennel sought to provide context amid the storm of attention this week. 'Khawd literally means 'take this' in Arabic. If done to a mate it's the funniest thing, but when done in spite people will literally kill each other over giving each other the khawd,' its host Elmo said. But he believes the incident has been blown out of proportion. 'I don't understand why they've made a complaint. It's nothing, it's just a bit of banter. It's just like giving fans the finger. Move on.' After the Bulldogs expressed their displeasure to the NRL following the game, and due to the attention the controversy has attracted, the governing body was compelled to to act. Sign up to Australia Sport Get a daily roundup of the latest sports news, features and comment from our Australian sports desk after newsletter promotion A formal warning was given to three Tigers players on Wednesday. 'The NRL acknowledges that these actions caused, or had the potential to cause, offence to members of the NRL community,' the league's statement read. The penalty was relatively light, given this week the Penrith Panthers were fined $50,000 and had trainer Corey Bocking suspended for five matches for interfering with Gold Coast kicker Jayden Campbell during a conversion attempt. However, a harsher sanction was handed to Tigers' back Brent Naden. He was one of the players who gave the crowd the khawd on Sunday, but went further than his teammates in sharing a video of him using the gesture after the match, and accompanying it by saying 'fucking dogs'. Naden has been hit with a breach notice and is expected to face a fine. He and the club have five days to respond.
The Guardian
7 days ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
How a controversial hand gesture divided opinion in the NRL
The NRL showed leniency on Wednesday by letting off Wests Tigers players with a warning after they used a gesture offensive to some Lebanese-Australian communities in Sunday's victory over Canterbury-Bankstown. But the sanction is unlikely to satisfy everyone given the range of responses elicited, from those outraged to others who believe the act was 'just a bit of banter'. Celebrating a second-half try to seal an upset Tigers' win against the high-flying Bulldogs in pouring rain at Parramatta, backrower Samuela Fainu made a hand gesture known as 'the khawd', and his teammates quickly joined in. Almost one in five residents of Bankstown have Lebanese ancestry, and the Bulldogs' fanbase has a strong association with Arab communities in Sydney's west. The club holds an annual Ifthar dinner each year during Ramadan and one of its favourite sons is Lebanon-born former winger Hazem El-Masri. Many Bulldogs fans in the stands on Sunday took offence at the sign made by the raucous Tigers players, some returning with a khawd of their own, while others put their thumbs down or raised their middle finger. But this was not a straightforward Tigers v Bulldogs debate. NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo admitted on Tuesday he had to 'learn up' about the gesture and its sensitivities. Canterbury-Bankstown Mayor Bilal El-Hayek – who will host a charity sleepout with the Bulldogs on Friday – declined to comment. Lebanese-Australian former Tigers hooker Ben Elias expressed firm views in the immediate aftermath. 'It's an ugly sign of hatred and these are the kind of actions that create issues and problems. It should be removed from the game immediately,' Elias told the Daily Telegraph. 'It was obviously aimed at the Lebanese. It means 'go and get fucked'. There's no need for it and there's no place in the game for it. The last thing you want to see is kids who idolise these players start repeating those hands signs and thinking it's cool.' Not all Lebanese-Australians immediately reach the same conclusions when they see the gesture. Jacob Kiraz, the Bulldogs' backline hero and son of Lebanese migrants, has been pictured using the khawd in a friendly manner. Prominent Bulldogs podcast the Kennel sought to provide context amid the storm of attention this week. 'Khawd literally means 'take this' in Arabic. If done to a mate it's the funniest thing, but when done in spite people will literally kill each other over giving each other the khawd,' its host Elmo said. But he believes the incident has been blown out of proportion. 'I don't understand why they've made a complaint. It's nothing, it's just a bit of banter. It's just like giving fans the finger. Move on.' After the Bulldogs expressed their displeasure to the NRL following the game, and due to the attention the controversy has attracted, the governing body was compelled to to act. Sign up to Australia Sport Get a daily roundup of the latest sports news, features and comment from our Australian sports desk after newsletter promotion A formal warning was given to three Tigers players on Wednesday. 'The NRL acknowledges that these actions caused, or had the potential to cause, offence to members of the NRL community,' the league's statement read. The penalty was relatively light, given this week the Penrith Panthers were fined $50,000 and had trainer Corey Bocking suspended for five matches for interfering with Gold Coast kicker Jayden Campbell during a conversion attempt. However, a harsher sanction was handed to Tigers' back Brent Naden. He was one of the players who gave the crowd the khawd on Sunday, but went further than his teammates in sharing a video of him using the gesture after the match, and accompanying it by saying 'fucking dogs'. Naden and the club have five days to respond.
Daily Mail
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Footy legend who played for Alan Jones breaks his silence just before ex-radio star faces court on sexual touching and indecent assault charges
Footy legend Ben Elias has branded Alan Jones an 'absolute great man' who has devoted his life to selflessly helping other people in his first statement on the radio star's legal battle. It comes as Jones, 83, is due to face court in July as the one-time Wallabies coach faces 11 counts of aggravated indecent assault, 20 counts of assault with act of indecency, two counts of sexually touching another person without consent and two counts of common assault. Speaking on 2WAY FM - a community radio station based on the mid-north coast of NSW - Balmain Tigers great Elias told veteran host Dave Lazarus he caught up with Jones on Monday alongside fellow footy star Steve Roach and another friend. Elias - who played under Jones when he coached the Balmain Tigers from 1991 to 1993 - also confirmed the veteran broadcaster was in 'great spirits'. 'We all know Alan. He's an absolute legend,' Elias began on Monday. 'Me, "Blocker" Roach and a bloke named Grant Vandenberg – we went over to AJ's today (Monday) and had an absolute delightful lunch... the bloke's in great spirits. 'You know, it's a remarkable position that he's in, which I certainly feel sorry for him in many ways. True bloke, great man. 'He's done amazing, amazing things for people, that people don't recognise. For what he's up for, I'd be very, very surprised if anything comes about it. 'But look, who knows? I can't say other than the bloke is an absolute, great man.' Elias added: 'He has been one hell of a man who's helped many charities, many, many, many charities and many young people along the way, mate. 'He's been an absolute legend. I hope that everything goes well for him.' Jones is accused of historical sexual assault offences allegedly committed in various locations across NSW, including Newtown, the Sydney CBD, Fitzroy Falls, Alexandria and Tamworth between 2001 and 2019. Police have previously stated the youngest alleged victim was 17 at the time of the alleged offence. Jones has denied all wrongdoing and is expected to plead not guilty to all charges. 'These allegations are either baseless or distort the truth,' he told reporters. Jones also said he was given no opportunity by police to respond to any of the claims prior to his dramatic arrest. 'I have never indecently assaulted these people... I am emphatic that I'll be defending every charge before a jury in due course,' he said. Previous allegations levelled against Jones include that he rubbed the inner thigh and genitals of multiple former employees and attempted to kiss others on the mouth and squeeze their bottoms. Jones began a hugely influential life on the airwaves in 1985 after a failed career in politics, becoming a feared interviewer who excelled at grilling leaders while dividing audiences with his outspoken views. He first worked with Sydney radio station 2UE before joining rival 2GB, where he was a long-time ratings juggernaut. NSW Police said State Crime Command's Child Abuse Squad established Strike Force Bonnefin in March last year to investigate a number of alleged indecent assaults and sexual touching incidents between 2001 and 2019. Jones will next face court on July 8.
