The Greater Manchester Police are investigating death threats made to Wigan’s Ben Flower after the rugby league player after his on-pitch attack on Lance Hohaia.
Flower made headlines due to an incident which took place in the Grand Final, which saw him viciously knock Hohaia to the ground before punching his rival in the face as he lay motionless. Flower was immediately given a red card, though the Rugby Football League decided that he will also receive a six-month ban, the second largest disciplinary action in the history of the Super League.
It has been noted by the police that Flower has received a variety of threats on Twitter, which are now being looked into. “We’ve been made aware of abusive social media activity about the Rugby League Grand Final”, the police force tweeted. “Please be reassured that we are looking into this.”
St Helens chairman Eamonn McManus stated that Flower’s “rehabilitation is now paramount”, noting that “he will be extremely vulnerable emotionally” during his time away from the sport.
“There is a person behind the player, and I am reliably informed by all that it is a good one”, McManus stated. “He must know that from all. Lance Hohaia certainly feels that way towards him also.”
The incident has rather exaggeratedly been referred to as “rugby’s darkest moment”, and while that may not be the case, it’s certainly not a good time in the career of Ben Flower.
Image: Getty Images
