‘I am not a homophobe’: Marcelo Montoya handed four-game NRL ban for slur

Warriors winger Marcelo Montoya has received a four-game NRL suspension at the NRL judiciary for the on-field use of a homophobic slur directed to North Queensland winger Kyle Feldt.

While Feldt lay on the ground after a tackle during the Warriors’ 25-24 win on Friday, Montoya yelled: “Get up Kyle, you faggot”.

Montoya, who appeared via video link from the club’s Redcliffe base on Tuesday, had pleaded guilty to the contrary conduct charge.

The winger expressed remorse for the incident in front of the judiciary panel of chair Geoff Bellew and former players Tony Puletua and Bob Lindner.

“I am not a homophobe and gays in the community are valued, that’s my position,” Montoya said. “In the heat of the moment on the footy field things are said.

“I accept that word is unacceptable and that’s definitely something out of character. There was no intention to offend anyone or Kyle.”

Montoya said he telephoned coach Nathan Brown on Saturday where he admitted to using the term before the Warriors released a statement on Sunday condemning Montoya’s comments.

“Both Marcelo and the club are extremely apologetic for the offence this has caused. It was unacceptable,” Warriors chief executive Cameron George said.

George appeared via video link from New Zealand where he spoke of Montoya’s standing at the club and his charity work. He described the Fijian international as a “true gentleman”.

Montoya’s lawyer James McLeod painted the picture of a well-behaved player, alluding to the winger’s clean record at the NRL judiciary.

He argued Montoya should receive a three-game suspension with a one-week reduction given the winger came forward and gave an early guilty plea.

But NRL counsel Lachlan Gyles made the case that Montoya’s comments were