Whitehaven’s Dion Aiye has been given an eight-match suspension, fined and removed as captain following a tribunal.
Aiye admitted assault and harassment charges at Preston Crown Court and was given an 18-month community order. The charges relate to an incident involving a woman in Barrow on February 28 2021.
The harassment, involving the same woman, took place between March 1 and July 5 2021.
Aiye, 35, of Richmond Terrace, Whitehaven, was sentenced on Thursday March 14 and following the sentencing, Whitehaven issued a statement saying it respected the decision of the judge and declined to make any further comment at the time.
The Papua New Guinea international played in Sunday’s opening 18-16 Championship win against Swinton Lions but will not be available again until June 2 when Whitehaven visit Doncaster.
It has now issued a statement following the RFL tribunal yesterday, Tuesday, March 19.
It said: “The club has refrained from commenting on the ongoing matter until the conclusion of the tribunal so to ensure no prejudice came against Dion while investigations and matters were concluded.
“The club and Dion have accepted the findings of the tribunal. Dion was removed as club captain following his guilty plea in court and was replaced with James Newton by the coach.
“Dion will also be fined the equivalent amount in wages for the period of his suspension. The club accepts all findings by the judicial system and the tribunal and will not be appealing any judgement passed down.
“The club would like to thank those who have shown patience with ourselves during this period and shown understanding of what has been a delicate situation.
“We are now looking to draw a line under this matter and will be commenting no further moving forward.”
