Thursday 16 June 2016 12:08, UK
Wigan have banned second row John Bateman for eight weeks after investigating an incident involving a team-mate.
The Warriors sought external judicial advice as they carried out a probe into the May 27 trouble which followed a team trip to Haydock races and left a gym in Wigan town centre damaged.
Bateman's backdated ban leaves him unavailable for selection until July 22, and he has also been fined £10,000.
Chairman Ian Lenagan said: "It is difficult to take such disciplinary action but we are responsible for the behaviour of Wigan players and the good name and reputation of Wigan Rugby League Club and all that it stands for.
"Disciplinary action needed to be taken and to be seen to have been taken.
"John Bateman has expressed his full regret at the incident, as have other parties, and the club will be working hard with John to ensure that he learns properly from the experience and comes back stronger than ever. He will remain a Wigan player and return to training during the period.
"Kris Radlinski and Shaun Wane are confident that the spirit and togetherness of the squad is at a high level, which has been illustrated by the fact that two difficult wins were achieved during the period of investigative distraction.
"The incident is now viewed as closed and no further comment will be made by club or players."
Sky Sports pundit Brian Carney believes that Wigan have dished out the right amount of punishment but would not be surprised if Bateman takes a close look at the release clause in his contract.
"It will be interesting to see if this only temporarily deals with John Bateman and his future at Wigan, Carney told Sky Sports.
"This punishment must be seen to be strong enough to appease certain people while at the same time not causing Wigan to lose one of their best players. He signed a four year deal at the end of last year. There was a release clause allowing him to go to the NRL (transfer fee would be payable).
"I believe there is still a, greater than shall we say 50/50, chance that John Bateman will not be at Wigan next year."
Carney's Sky Sports colleague Terry O'Connor agrees but hopes that Bateman stays in the UK.
"John Bateman is a huge talent and by all accounts popular figure at the club. Talent alone is not enough though to keep your job. You are a role model both on and off the field to so many young impressionable people.
"Cultures and values take years to build and not so long to break if incidents aren't dealt with in a professional manner. I'm sure everyone involved at the club has had sleepless nights deliberating on what the punishment should be.
"I still don't think we've heard the last of this and I wouldn't be surprised if in the near future John was to leave Wigan and earn a living somewhere else, hopefully this side of the world."
"In the short term John will try to earn back some of his team mates respect."
