.png)
6 months ago
45
Canterbury Bulldogs boss Phil Gould is reportedly the subject of an NRL probe after launching a furious tirade against the game on Channel 9.
Gould, who works as both a footy supremo at the Bulldogs and a Channel 9 commentator, lashed out at the NRL during 100% Footy on Monday night, raising eyebrows at NRL HQ.
The footy veteran weighed in on the debate surrounding changes to the kick off, and did not hold back in opposing the measure.
He said 'we are tearing (the game) apart' before claiming that the governing body 'don't listen to the players'.
Gould went on to call the decision 'ridiculous'.
Phil Gould has landed himself in hot water with the NRL
The Canterbury footy boss hit out at the NRL over a proposed rule change
'Our game is so stupid,' he said.
'You can lose the ball over the line scoring a try and you get penalised 20 metres and seven tackles … why? I don't know, because it's stupid.
'But I can just take a line drop out and if it goes out on the full or doesn't go 10 metres, no consequence, nothing at all. What sort of stupid game is this? Who sits and makes up these rules?'
He also opposed the decision to take a try off Api Koroisau for the Wests Tigers over the weekend when he was deemed to have lost control of the ball.
'We are so stupid with our rules … our game is stupid,' he said.
His comments have once again ignited discussion over the potential conflict of interest in Gould holding a position of power at a football club while simultaneously being given licence to air his views on national television.
Fox Sports' James Hooper reports that the comment on Koroisau's disallowed try in particular has irked the NRL.
'The NRL rules clearly stipulate club officials, coaches and players are not permitted to engage in public commentary that is damaging to the game,' his report states.
He also said 'our game is so stupid' - a remark that has raised eyebrows among bosses
He added on NRL360: 'There's a view he's crossed the line.'
However, Michael Carayannis of the Daily Telegraph said: 'They won't breach him. I'd be shocked if they breach him.'
Braith Anasta said: 'There is a line, Gus got a little carried away there — I kind of agreed with what he was trying to say.
'You can't criticise the game the way that he did but I don't think it's the worst thing in the world.'
English (US)