SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 22: Lebanon players look dejected during the Pacific International Test Match between Fiji and Lebanon at Leichhardt Oval on June 22, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
The Lebanon Rugby League Federation (LRLF) has charged 17 players with misconduct, as the relationship between the federation and its players continue to deteriorate.
The LRLF has released the following statement on its website.
The Lebanese Rugby League Federation has charged 17 persons with misconduct for breaches of its operational rules in relation to events surrounding the 22 June match versus Fiji. Those charged will be asked to appear before a Misconduct Panel and have been suspended with immediate effect from all Lebanese rugby league activity pending the outcome of misconduct proceedings.
The Misconduct Panel will be independent in composition and chaired by an RLIF official to ensure transparency. The 17 charged are:
Adam Douehi, Toufic El Hajj, Michel El Tom, Ahmad Ellaz, Robbie Farah, Nick Kassis, Anthony Layoun, Michael Lichaa, Bilal Maarbani, Tim Mannah, Josh Mansour, Abbas Miski, Mitchel Moses, James Roumanos, Chris Saab, Ali Saad, George Yazbek.
The players charged included Moses, Douehi and Mansour, despite the trio not taking to the field against Fiji.
In the lead up to the game, players decided to tape over the Cedars logo, but did have the logo on display during the match.
Farah retired from representing Lebanon after the final whistle.