Kiwis international Dallin Watene-Zelezniak was allegedly attacked by a league official at a junior rugby league game on Saturday.
According to reports from Australia's Nine News, the NRL are investigating an incident which occurred when the Penrith Panthers star was standing in as a touch judge during a match between St Clair's and St Mary's in Western Sydney.
Watene-Zelezniak, a devout Mormon, raised his flag after ruling a St Mary's player had stepped into touch which caused the official in question to launch a tirade of abuse in his direction.
He was then confronted physically, with the official inquestion supposedly putting his hands on Watene-Zelezniak's neck and wrestling with him.
"It was very ugly and parents and officials had to take the kids across the field before a few people eventually broke it up," an eyewitness told Nine News.
The official was subsequently ejected from the oval.
A few hours later, the 21-year-old turned out for Penrith in their win over the Gold Coast Titans.
Video is said to exist of the incident and has been turned into both the NRL and the Panthers for closer examination.
The Panthers have since released a statement saying they are aware of an incident involving Panthers player Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.
"Watene-Zelezniak was volunteering as a sideline official at the time and contacted Panthers Executive General Manager Phil Gould immediately following the incident," the statement said.
"Panthers can confirm Watene-Zelezniak was not the instigator of the incident.
"The incident is currently under investigation by Penrith Junior League and Panthers will review the matter on Monday."
Newshub.
