3 minute read

The NRL has confirmed Kotoni Staggs was fined $10,000 for using a homophobic slur, with the Brisbane centre still required to meet with the game's bosses.

Kotoini Staggs has been hit with a $10,000 fine for using a homophobic slur and will also have to gain the approval of NRL bosses first before being allowed to play in round one.

The NRL confirmed to AAP on Tuesday night Staggs had been hit with the five-figure punishment for calling a patron a 'faggot' at a pub in country NSW.

Staggs will also have to complete an education program and meet with NRL CEO Andrew Abdo and the integrity unit.

Only when they are convinced Staggs has learned his lesson will he be able to play for Brisbane, with their opening-round clash with Parramatta three-and-a-half weeks away.

The 22-year-old was not charged over the incident, but two friends have since pleaded guilty over the altercation that followed in a Dubbo pub.

The Bronco centre spoke of the incident this week and said he was attempting to line up the meeting with Abdo.

"I'm in the progress of doing that now with the welfare officer," Staggs said about the proposed meeting with Abdo.

"What I did is in the past now. I've got nothing against the bloke it happened to."

Brisbane are already without Payne Haas for the first three games after he was banned by the NRL for intimidating police.