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McKinnon, Wade |
  Wade MCKINNON [Player Stats] + Submit additional information or a correction to this player 
Warriors upset that judicial process failed McKinnon Thu September 4, 2008 by Matthew O'Neill Source: www.warriors.co.nz Vodafone Warriors chief executive Wayne Scurrah tonight claimed justice had not been served by the NRL in its handling of a contrary conduct charge against fullback Wade McKinnon. McKinnon was last night suspended for three matches by the NRL's judiciary on a charge of spitting at or in the direction of sideline official Brett Suttor during last Sunday's clash against Penrith at Mt Smart Stadium. The Vodafone Warriors, bitterly disappointed with that decision, sought leave to appeal the suspension but late today NRL judiciary chairman Judge Greg Woods declined the application. In his judgment, he said the verdict 'was not unreasonable and not insupportable on the evidence.' "We find it very difficult to accept that," said Scurrah. "There were a number of inconsistencies presented in the evidence against Wade and certainly no clear evidence he intentionally spat at the touch judge. "It's our belief that Wade has been poorly treated throughout this process, ever since Brett Suttor accused Wade of spitting at him. "However, we realise the NRL's judicial process has now played out and we have no choice but to accept the suspension and move on." McKinnon said he was devastated but would turn his attention to giving his total support to his team-mates in their efforts to win their final regular season match against Parramatta on Saturday night. "I'm shattered about this. I didn't spit at or even near the touch judge. I wouldn't do that," he said. "But I have to get past it. I have no choice. All I want now is for the boys to get the job done against the Eels. "I also want to say that I really appreciate the fantastic efforts the club has gone to supporting me through this." Scurrah said while Saturday night's match was the critical focus the club couldn't move on from the outcome of the McKinnon case without comment. "While we believe in the sanctity of match officials and fully endorse efforts to protect them, in this case we absolutely support Wade in his contention that he did not spit at the touch judge. That position has not changed and it won't change. "In our opinion and that of our legal representative Geoff Bellew, the decision to find Wade guilty was reached on inconclusive evidence and that's why we expected to be granted an appeal. "We note that last night the NRL's counsel Peter Kite urged the judiciary to impose a suspension of between nine and 11 weeks, describing the offence as reprehensible. "If that's the case, why then did the panel suspend Wade for only three matches? It's our opinion that, in light of that sentence, the judiciary members were anything but convinced. "This case has been given extraordinary coverage in the media since Sunday, to the point Wade had been tried and found guilty before we even had a chance to present our case at the hearing. "It's our belief that this also may have proved prejudicial to our cause." News Source: www.warriors.co.nz Warriors bitterly disappointed about McKinnon suspension Thu September 4, 2008 by Matthew O'Neill Source: www.warriors.co.nz Vodafone Warriors chief executive Wayne Scurrah said the club was bitterly disappointed with the NRL judiciary's decision to suspend fullback Wade McKinnon last night. McKinnon faced a contrary conduct charge of spitting at or in the direction of sideline official Brett Suttor during last Sunday's clash against Penrith at Mt Smart Stadium. After a two-hour hearing, the three-man judiciary panel of Bob Lindner, Royce Ayliffe and Darren Britt decided McKinnon was guilty and should be banned for three games. Scurrah said the Vodafone Warriors weren't satisfied McKinnon, who was represented by Sydney barrister Geoff Bellew, had been fairly treated. "We're devastated and disappointed that Wade has been found guilty on this charge," he said. McKinnon reiterated during tonight's hearing and after it that he did not spit at Suttor. Scurrah said after discussions with Bellew the club had immediately sought leave to appeal the decision. News Source: www.warriors.co.nz
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