The Penrith Panthers have apologized to the Warriors and taken down several offensive social media posts that made fun of their defeated competitors. After crushing the Warriors 32–6, the back-to-back premiers walked into the preliminary final on Saturday.
But in the wake of the win, criticism has been leveled at the players’ behavior and the club’s social media division. The Panthers referenced the Warriors’ catchphrase, “Up the Wahs,” in several of their social media posts with the hashtag “Up the Pahs.”
Five-eighth injured In what may have been a reference to the New Zealand Haka, Stephen Crichton was seen sticking his tongue out in the changing rooms. Jarome Laui also shared the message on his Instagram account. Following a fierce outcry on Sunday from Warriors supporters, the Panthers took down the posts and apologized.
The CEO of the Panthers, Matt Cameron, told The Sydney Morning Herald, “I’ve spoken to the Warriors and issued an apology on behalf of the club.” “We sincerely regret any offense that our post may have caused. Since then, it was removed.
“They are such a professional club, so to Matty Cameron, Brian Fletcher, and everyone at the club, we don’t take it as disrespect,” stated Cameron George, CEO of the Warriors. We have progressed. I’m grateful that Matt Cameron reached out to me and expressed the club’s apologies for any offense we may have caused. It wasn’t intended to be that way, and we didn’t interpret it that way.
