B A Lert
2nd Jul 2006, 00:46
From the Sydney Morning Herald web-site
Bulldogs Origin player in trouble following bomb joke in plane
James MacSmith
July 2, 2006
QUEENSLAND State of Origin forward Nate Myles has been embroiled in a security incident on board a flight from Sydney to Melbourne.
A comment from the 21-year-old Bulldogs prop to teammate Hazem El Masri, a Muslim, was overheard by a Qantas flight attendant and was then passed on to Sydney Airport security.
The plane's departure was delayed by 30 minutes as Bulldogs chief executive Malcolm Noad, coach Steve Folkes and Myles were interviewed by security staff.
Myles was not charged over the comment.
The incident occurred on June 22 on Qantas flight 427 as the Bulldogs travelled to Melbourne to play the Melbourne Storm the following night at Olympic Park.
Last night Myles's manager Chris Orr said his client was "embarrassed and remorseful" about the incident.
"Terrorism is of course a serious thing, but this is just a little remark made to a teammate that didn't mean anything," Orr said.
"Nate knows he has done the wrong thing and has apologised for the trouble he has caused. He understands that airplane staff are required to pass on anything they hear like that, but at the end of the day it was just a silly little comment that has gotten out of hand.
"He is a good young player and a good young bloke and is embarrassed and remorseful about what has occurred.
"Nate was not charged by airport security and was told that is where the matter will rest. It was all just an unfortunate incident.
"He knows it was a silly thing to say and that that Qantas staff and airport security were doing their job in following it up. It was a joke gone wrong and is a lesson learned and he has now put it behind him."
The Sun-Herald has been told the incident unfolded after a player joked about sitting in business class.
El Masri took the seat and Myles reportedly said: "They won't move you, you've got the bombs strapped on."
A Bulldogs official confirmed last night that Myles had been reprimanded over the incident and regretted his actions.
Myles is one of rugby league's brightest rising stars and his services are being chased by six NRL clubs.
He is likely to leave the Bulldogs at season's end - not because of this incident, but because salary cap pressure will have forced him away from the club.
He will play for Queensland in the State of Origin decider in Melbourne on Wednesday.
"He just wants to put this unfortunate incident behind him and play some football," Orr said.
Why does Qantas allow such clown to get away with his loose talk with just a wrap over the knuckles when other non-entities have been prosecuted and fined heavily? So much for the stern message about security being a serious matter that is published in the Qantas in flight magazine. If Qantas is serious, then this very minor celebrity should be prosecuted all the way so as to really set an example to anyone who even dares think about making light of security issues.
Shame on Qantas Security Dept and anyone esle connected with this incident - there could hardly be any mitigating circumstances.
Bulldogs Origin player in trouble following bomb joke in plane
James MacSmith
July 2, 2006
QUEENSLAND State of Origin forward Nate Myles has been embroiled in a security incident on board a flight from Sydney to Melbourne.
A comment from the 21-year-old Bulldogs prop to teammate Hazem El Masri, a Muslim, was overheard by a Qantas flight attendant and was then passed on to Sydney Airport security.
The plane's departure was delayed by 30 minutes as Bulldogs chief executive Malcolm Noad, coach Steve Folkes and Myles were interviewed by security staff.
Myles was not charged over the comment.
The incident occurred on June 22 on Qantas flight 427 as the Bulldogs travelled to Melbourne to play the Melbourne Storm the following night at Olympic Park.
Last night Myles's manager Chris Orr said his client was "embarrassed and remorseful" about the incident.
"Terrorism is of course a serious thing, but this is just a little remark made to a teammate that didn't mean anything," Orr said.
"Nate knows he has done the wrong thing and has apologised for the trouble he has caused. He understands that airplane staff are required to pass on anything they hear like that, but at the end of the day it was just a silly little comment that has gotten out of hand.
"He is a good young player and a good young bloke and is embarrassed and remorseful about what has occurred.
"Nate was not charged by airport security and was told that is where the matter will rest. It was all just an unfortunate incident.
"He knows it was a silly thing to say and that that Qantas staff and airport security were doing their job in following it up. It was a joke gone wrong and is a lesson learned and he has now put it behind him."
The Sun-Herald has been told the incident unfolded after a player joked about sitting in business class.
El Masri took the seat and Myles reportedly said: "They won't move you, you've got the bombs strapped on."
A Bulldogs official confirmed last night that Myles had been reprimanded over the incident and regretted his actions.
Myles is one of rugby league's brightest rising stars and his services are being chased by six NRL clubs.
He is likely to leave the Bulldogs at season's end - not because of this incident, but because salary cap pressure will have forced him away from the club.
He will play for Queensland in the State of Origin decider in Melbourne on Wednesday.
"He just wants to put this unfortunate incident behind him and play some football," Orr said.
Why does Qantas allow such clown to get away with his loose talk with just a wrap over the knuckles when other non-entities have been prosecuted and fined heavily? So much for the stern message about security being a serious matter that is published in the Qantas in flight magazine. If Qantas is serious, then this very minor celebrity should be prosecuted all the way so as to really set an example to anyone who even dares think about making light of security issues.
Shame on Qantas Security Dept and anyone esle connected with this incident - there could hardly be any mitigating circumstances.