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Daily Mail
06-08-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Footy star breaks silence on the controversial try celebration that has rocked the NRL
Samuela Fainu has explained that the controversial 'khod' or 'khawd' gesture he and some of his team-mates performed during the Wests Tigers' underdog victory against Canterbury was never meant to cause harm. The 21-year-old explained that the gesture, which can be seen as offensive in some Arabic and Lebanese cultures, is used by he and his friends in a 'light-hearted' manner to poke a playful jibe at one another. Fainu scored the Tigers ' final try in their gazumping of flag hopefuls, the Bulldogs, on Sunday, with Benji Marshall's side clinching a 28-14 victory at the CommBank Stadium. But an unsavoury talking point has emerged following the match, after Fainu and his team-mate Brent Naden were seen performing the gesture, which sees individuals raise their hand and point their middle finger downwards. In Arabic, the literal translation of the word 'khod' means 'take', with some using the gesture with the word 'khod' to say 'take that', an apparent insult that some have likened to be similar to 'up yours' or raising a middle finger. Fainu, 21, and Naden, 29, were seen directing the symbol towards some Bulldogs supporters in the stands at the stadium as they celebrated the try. However, the Doggies were less than impressed by the celebrations and issued a request to the NRL to investigate the matter. A video of Naden performing the 'khod' while saying 'f***ing Dogs' also appeared on social media after the match. The centre has since been issued with a breach notice by the NRL over the matter and could cop a punishment. The NRL simultaneously issued a warning to the Tigers on Wednesday over the matter, stating: 'The NRL acknowledges that these actions caused, or had the potential to cause offence to members of the NRL community. 'Separately, the NRL has issued a breach notice to Wests Tigers Player Brent Naden. 'The notice alleges that Naden's conduct following the Wests Tigers match on 3 August 2025 contravened the NRL Code of Conduct. The Player will have five days to respond to the breach notice.' Fainu, who joined the club from the Sea Eagles ahead of the 2024 season, has enjoyed a great 2025 so far, scoring four tries across 17 appearances, averaging 77m per game. However, while speaking to The Daily Telegraph on Wednesday, he revealed that the gesture was meant to be more of an affectionate joke between friends. 'The hand gesture I made on Sunday was never intended to hurt or cause harm,' Fainu told the outlet. 'It's something I've always shared as light-hearted banter with my friends and even my own brothers. 'We've done it in a playful manner for years, even over a card game, it's just a part of how we joke around with each other. 'I've got a lot of Arabic friends as I've grown up with them and have embraced their culture, some of my closest mates, even my agent is Lebanese, I love them.' In another twist to the tale, an image has been circulating online, appearing to show Bulldogs fullback Jacob Kiraz giving Tigers five-eighth Adam Doueihi a 'friendly' khod before the game. Both players have Lebanese heritage. Meanwhile, some social media users clapped back at the Bulldogs and their supporters, branding them 'hypocrites' after an image appeared online showing Doggies fans appearing to pose during a match performing the 'khod' symbol. Some have been stunned by the backlash the Tigers players have received over the bizarre incident. 'Bunch of sooks (Bulldogs supporters) - well done Tigers for dishing it back in perfect style,' said one fan on X in response. 'Turn the focus on your own fan's behaviour before whinging,' suggested another. 'This is funny....I thought the Bulldogs were a tough club and their fans best in the NRL. Yet [they] cry over some banter! 'All of a sudden, they get offended so easily. Harden up,' a third said. '(This is the) pot calling the kettle black,' a fourth weighed in with. But others have criticised the behaviour of the players, including former Wallabies coach Michael Cheika, who has Lebanese heritage. 'I was pretty shocked when I was watching the game and saw what was going on after that try – I knew what was going on straight away,' Cheika told The Sydney Morning Herald. 'It was very culturally insensitive. They knew what it meant because there were Lebanese players in the team. And they chose to do it in front of kids. They were playing so well, they should have been celebrating with their teammates, not abusing people in the crowd. 'It's a pretty offensive gesture in our culture. It's not cool. The best way to get into the opposition supporters is by doing it on the scoreboard.
Daily Mail
06-08-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Footy star gets punished by NRL for giving fans the 'Arabic middle finger' - as a shock photos show why fans think the league has got it wrong
Wests Tigers star Brent Naden has been issued a breach notice by the NRL for giving Bulldogs fans the 'khod', which is often perceived as the 'Arabic middle finger.' Naden, 29, posted the gesture post-game - before adding f***ing dogs' - on social media via TikTok. The video was reportedly sent by Naden to a friend and then leaked publicly. Utility back Naden - who previously played for the Bulldogs in 2022 - will be fined. His teammates at the Tigers - Samuela Fainu, Sunia Turuva and Latu Fainu - all made the khod gesture towards Canterbury supporters at Commbank Stadium on August 3, but the trio have escaped sanction. On Wednesday morning, the NRL released a statement confirming the warning had been handed out. 'The NRL acknowledges that these actions caused, or had the potential to cause, offence to members of the NRL community,' the statement read. 'Separately, the NRL has issued a breach notice to Wests Tigers player Brent Naden. 'The notice alleges that Naden's conduct following the Wests Tigers match contravened the NRL Code of Conduct. The player will have five days to respond to the breach notice.' Adding to the confusion for fans is an image currently circulating online via NRL Photos from last weekend which shows Bulldogs fullback Jacob Kiraz giving Tigers halfback Adam Doueihi a 'friendly' khod pre-game. Both footy stars have Lebanese heritage. Other photos have shown Bulldogs fans using the gesture. Some footy supporters have been stunned at the backlash Naden and the Tigers have received, given the hand gesture can also be good-natured, as was the case with Kiraz. Even NRL CEO Andrew Abdo admitted this week he had to 'learn up' on the matter. The fans also were shocked to see Canterbury - who have a passionate Middle Eastern fan base - reach out to the NRL Integrity Unit, who then launched an investigation. 'Bunch of sooks (Bulldogs supporters) - well done Tigers for dishing it back in perfect style,' said one fan on X in response. 'Turn the focus on your own fan's behaviour before whinging,' suggested another. 'This is funny....I thought the Bulldogs were a tough club and their fans best in the NRL. Yet (they) cry over some banter! 'All of a sudden they get offended so easily. Harden up,' a third said. 'Every Bulldogs game I have been to their fans have been anything but welcoming.
The Australian
06-08-2025
- Sport
- The Australian
Wests Tigers' Brent Naden hit with NRL breach notice over offensive gesture
Wests Tigers centre Brent Naden has been breached by the NRL for using an offensive Middle Eastern hand gesture – known as the 'khawd' – following Sunday's game at Commbank Stadium. The NRL notified Naden and the Tigers on Tuesday night that he had been issued with a breach notice after he used the Arabic gesture on social media following the club's win over the Bulldogs on Sunday night. Naden has five days to respond to the breach notice. The other three players who used the gesture during Sunday's game at Commbank Stadium – who the NRL chose not to name – were given warnings by the NRL. The NRL released a statement on Wednesday morning confirming that the warning handed out to three players, who they declined to name, was related to their conduct on the field during the round 22 game against the Bulldogs. 'The NRL acknowledges that these actions caused, or had the potential to cause, offence to members of the NRL community,' the statement said. 'Separately, the NRL has issued a breach notice to Wests Tigers Player Brent Naden. The notice alleges that Naden's conduct following the Wests Tigers match on 3 August 2025 contravened the NRL Code of Conduct. The Player will have five days to respond to the breach notice.' Brent Read Senior Sports Writer Brent Read is one of rugby league's agenda setters but is also among the nation's most well-known golf writers. He also covers Olympic sports, writing with authority, wit and enthusiasm. Brent began his career in sport as a soccer player, playing with the Brisbane Strikers in the NSL. NRL While legend Benny Elias called it 'ugly hatred', the NRL's slap on the wrist for the Tigers players who insulted Bulldogs fans on the weekend is just right, writes Brent Read. NRL A Queensland Origin squad member and Dolphin is on the verge of returning to his former club on a two-year deal.
News.com.au
05-08-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
West Tigers stars in hot water as NRL hit Brent Naden with breach notice
Wests Tigers centre Brent Naden has been breached by the NRL for using an offensive Middle Eastern hand gesture – known as the 'khawd' – following Sunday's game at Commbank Stadium have escaped with a sanction. The NRL notified Naden and the Tigers on Tuesday night that he had been issued with a breach notice after he used the Arabic gesture on social media following the club's win over the Bulldogs on Sunday night. Naden has five days to respond to the breach notice. The other three players who used the gesture during Sunday's game at Commbank Stadium – who the NRL chose not to name – were given warnings by the NRL. The NRL released a statement on Wednesday morning confirming that the warning handed out to three players, who they declined to name, was related to their conduct on the field during the round 22 game against the Bulldogs. 'The NRL acknowledges that these actions caused, or had the potential to cause, offence to members of the NRL community,' the statement said. 'Separately, the NRL has issued a breach notice to Wests Tigers Player Brent Naden. The notice alleges that Naden's conduct following the Wests Tigers match on 3 August 2025 contravened the NRL Code of Conduct. The Player will have five days to respond to the breach notice.'
