A rugby league player has had his 20-year ban overturned after nearly a decade out of the sport.
In 2016, Australian Matt Nean was sent off for making contact with a referee while playing for his club, the West Tamworth Lions.
Footage of the incident during the 2016 Group 4 grand final in northern New South Wales showed Nean walking past the official and barely touching him before being quickly sent from the field.
His initial suspension was 18 weeks, but Nean lost his subsequent appeal and was given a massive 20-year ban.
A source told Nine he hadn’t even been allowed to watch his son play league during his time away from the game.
Now, at 36, Nean can play his first match in nearly a decade after New South Wales rugby league and Group 4 overturned the decision.
Matt Nean was banned from rugby league for 20 years for making contact with an official during a match in 2016.
He told Nine he had mixed feelings about returning to a sport from which he had spent so long away.
“I really can’t believe it – I’m free to play again.
“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.
“I’m looking forwards, not back.”
His return to the field won’t come with the side for which he last played, with Nean having signed for the Dungowan Cowboys, the same club for which his son plays under-18 league.
“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.
“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.”