NRL: Calls for NZ Warriors to educate players on impact of homophobic language after Marcelo Montoya ban

There are calls for NZ Warriors to do more to educate their players about the effects of using homophobic language. 

It comes after the NRL judiciary issued a four-week ban for Warriors wing Marcelo Montoya after on-field mics caught him using a homophobic slur in last week's win over the Cowboys. 

But while the NRL's drawn their line in the sand, advocacy groups say more needs to be done. 

Marcelo Montoya has been banned for four matches after a homophobic slur.
Marcelo Montoya has been banned for four matches after a homophobic slur. Photo credit: Image - Getty Images

It's the word that'll see Montoya spend the next month on the sidelines. But despite now being down a man, Warriors coach Nathan Brown wasn't so keen to talk about the suspension.

"My only comment is that it's important that everyone understands what a terrific fellow Marce [Montoya] is," Brown said. 

"He's a great bloke. Something got said in the heat of the battle but that's the main thing that people don't judge Marce for it."

That was all Brown wanted to discuss, refusing to answer any further questions over the immediate future of the 26-year-old winger.

He later added Montoya has plenty of support around him.

The NRL was more forthcoming in their reaction, with chief Andrew Abdo saying in a statement that rugby league is a game for everyone, that the language won't be tolerated, and that the league supports the suspension.

Organisation InsideOUT would like to see there be greater education for players.

"Using kind of any homophobic or transphobic language can be so damaging for rainbow communities," spokesperson Tabby Besley told Newshub.

"Particularly for young people."

And they believe there's a solution.

"It'd be really important for the Warriors to engage with some rainbow competency training to try and look at how they can create a more inclusive environment," Besley added. 

"And just to be mindful of that language, there's so many alternatives that you can say."

But, that'll be too late for Marcelo Montoya.