League: John Hopoate handed 10-year ban after club fight

Former league player John Hopoate has been banned from any involvement in rugby league for 10 years for fighting in a club game.

Hopoate was handed the ban, of which half is suspended, following a conduct review panel from New South Wales Rugby League last night.

The former Sea Eagles star pleaded guilty to three counts of contrary conduct and one of striking, AAP reports.

The incident happened in a Manly A-Grade match last month between Narraweena against Forestville.

AAP reports that Hopoate told the panel he was racially abused before the incident, saying he was called a 'f***ing black monkey'.