The NRL are investigating the Panthers after the premiership trophy was damaged during their wild celebrations in the aftermath of their grand final win over the Rabbitohs.
The Daily Telegraph reported the NRL launched an investigation after photos of the badly damaged premiership trophy emerged on social media.
The images show the Norm Provan and Arthur Summons section of the trophy separated from the base and being treated like a baby and put in a children’s stroller and rocked in a shoulder strap.
The captions on the Instagram images posted by one of the players’ partners reads “googoo gaga” and “dad duties”.
It is understood NRL are furious at the disrespect shown to Provan and Summons whose iconic pose adorns the trophy awarded to the winners of each season’s title winning team.
The premiership trophy is worth $30,000 and will need to be repaired by the Panthers.
The NRL allows for clubs to purchase a replica of the trophy to display in their trophy cabinets, but the original needs to be returned to the game’s governing body each season.
The NRL Integrity Unit has asked the Panthers for an explanation as to how the trophy was damaged and will look into the claims the trophy was disrespected in social media posts.
The Panthers have been accused of being arrogant in the aftermath of their victory over the Rabbitohs.
Nathan Cleary was criticised for sledging Cody Walker after his intercept gifted Stephen Crichton the match winning try.
Then utility Tyrone May was slammed for alluding to the fallout from his sex tape in a tasteless social media post.
This latest incident doesn’t paint the Panthers in the most favourable light given the history behind the premiership trophy and particularly the two legends that are the face of it.
Source: foxsports.com.au
