Official Statement from the Utah Rugby League Association (URLA) Regarding the Hopoate Cup Round 2 Incident
To the players, families, and supporters of the Utah Rugby League Association,
The URLA Committee acknowledges the unacceptable on-field incident that occurred during the Broncos vs. Seagulls match on Saturday, July 12. The events that transpired are in direct opposition to the values of sportsmanship, community, and respect that our league is built upon.
First and foremost, we wish to extend a sincere and formal apology. We apologize to the players and staff of both clubs who invested their time and effort, only to have their game concluded prematurely. Most importantly, we apologize to the fans, families, and supporters—especially those who traveled to be there. You deserve to enjoy the sport you love in a safe and positive environment, and for that, we are truly sorry.
Following the incident, the URLA convened an independent Judiciary Panel to conduct a thorough and impartial review. To ensure fairness, this panel was composed of a URLA Committee representative and the presidents of two uninvolved clubs, the Roosters and the Rabbitahz. After reviewing all evidence, the panel has handed down the following sanctions to three players from the Broncos club:
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Player 1: Suspended from all URLA-sanctioned competitions. The player will be eligible to return in Round 2 of the 2027 season.
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Player 2: Suspended from all URLA-sanctioned competitions. The player will be eligible to return for the final regular season round of the 2026 season.
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Player 3: Suspended for one (1) match, effective immediately.
A full and comprehensive judiciary report detailing the findings, evidence, and sentencing rationale has been provided to the Broncos club leadership.
Let us be unequivocally clear: violence has no place in the Utah Rugby League Association. The severity of these sanctions reflects our unwavering commitment to player safety and our zero-tolerance policy towards fighting. This is not a standard we hope to achieve; it is the standard we will enforce without exception.
The results of this judiciary process are intended to send a powerful message. We are handling this situation with the gravity it deserves to ensure that such an incident does not happen again.
We thank our community for your passion and support. We now look forward to completing the 2025 Hopoate Cup season under the standard of sportsmanship and respect that our league demands and our supporters deserve.
Sincerely,
The URLA Committee
