An Indigenous bush footy player who was banned for 20 years for touching a referee has had his conviction sensationally overturned – after nearly 10 years out of the game.
Matt Nean was sent off for allegedly man-handling a referee playing for West Tamworth in the 2016 Group 4 grand final in Tamworth, despite vision of the incident appearing to show he barely touched the match official as the two crossed paths.
Matthew Nean. A Current Affair
Nean was originally suspended for 18 weeks. He appealed the verdict and was promptly slapped with the mammoth 20-year ban.
But following a campaign by nine.com.au, the NSW Rugby League and Group 4 has overturned the ban and Nean is now a “free” man and will resume playing soon.
Nean, now 36, has lost much of his career due to the ban.
But he has maintained his fitness all will play for Dungowan Cowboys against Gunnedah Bulldogs in a couple of weeks – his first game in over nine years.
“He wasn’t even allowed to attend junior games and see his son play or go to watch the Aboriginal knockout so it is a great relief,” a source close to Nean told nine.com.au.
“Video of the incident shows he just brushed the referee accidentally – but he wasn’t allowed to use the video in his hearing or his appeal.
“It was a gross miscarriage of justice and we are just grateful it has been rectified – albeit much too late.”
Nean told nine.com.au he had “mixed emotions” about his ban being overturned.
“I really can’t believe it – I’m free to play again after so long,” he said.
“It’s been a long time in the making – I can’t wait to get back onto the field.
“I just kept getting blocked out, and finally, they listened to our appeal.
“I’ve had a lot of ups and downs – there is no anger – it’s just one of those things that happen in life.
Matt Nean was banned for 20 years for allegedly making contact with the referee during a grand final in 2016. 9News
“I’m looking forwards, not back.”