Three local rugby league players and a spectator have been banned for life for their part in an incident in which a touch judge was assaulted during last Saturday's premier club rugby league grand final.
The Rugby League Hawke's Bay board met last night to discuss the fate of the men after the grand final between MAC Pacific Warriors and the Pirate Panthers at Bill Matthewson Park was called off early due to increasing on-field tension, which culminated in an assault on the touch judge.
After last night's meeting, Rugby League Hawke's Bay chairman Kevin Tamati said the board came to a unanimous decision to hand life bans to MAC players Sione Lole, Sene Kopeti, Loto-lelei Kereti and MAC supporter Sio Faa-Manu.
Attempts to contact the players and the spectator or MAC club officials last night proved unsuccessful.
Mr Tamati said the touch judge, Andy Cracknell, one of the most senior Hawke's Bay referees, was pleased with the decision, but was considering pressing charges.
Mr Tamati said Mr Cracknell would return to refereeing next year.
"Its difficult enough to get these guys to put their hand up to volunteer, we need to show that we have got their backs.