George Burgess will miss England’s final Test against New Zealand on Sunday after being handed a four-match ban for eye gouging.
Burgess was found guilty of behaviour contrary to the true spirit of the game (gouging) by an international disciplinary panel following an incident in last Sunday’s second Test against New Zealand at Anfield, and the suspension will rule him out of this Sunday’s third Test at Elland Road.
He was also fined £500.
However, the England forward took to social media after the hearing to insist that while he accepts the punishment, there was no intent to injure an opponent, saying:
I want to make it completely clear to everyone that it was never my intention to ever gauge anyone. It is not in my makeup as a rugby league player and never has been. I sincerely apologise to anyone who thinks bad of me after seeing the footage.
— George Burgess (@burgessgeorge) November 6, 2018
