Two decades after John Hopoate copped a 12-match ban for actions one NRL commissioner at the time described as ‘disgusting,violent[and] offensive’,Toulouse halfback Norman has been hit with the most severe Grade F charge for what is considered ‘other contrary behaviour’.
An eight-match ban is the minimum if found guilty of the charge,with no limit to the upper end of the punishment scale.
Norman’s side are battling to avoid relegation from Super League and the incident,involving Warrington’s Oliver Holmes,took place during last Thursday’s 32-18 defeat to the Wolves.
Toulouse have just four more games to escape the drop and any lengthier ban would carry into next season,when the club could be in the second-tier Championship.
Kenny Edwards,of Castleford,was last year banned for 10 matches for a similar act against former Bulldogs NRL enforcer Sam Kasiano.
Norman initially announced his retirement from rugby league last December after finishing up at the Dragons,before inking a one-year deal with Toulouse.
His 228-game career saw Norman involved in several off-field dramas,most notably in 2017 when he was handed an eight-week ban after being convicted of drug possession at The Star casino and issued a police warning for consorting with known criminals.
Norman’s 2021 campaign was also marred by separate $20,000 and $50,000 breach notices for his involvement and the BBQ-gate scandal that saw.
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