Mongalo sentenced for sexual harrassment as Lions’ problems mount
The team's defence coach, who's staring code of conduct charges in the face, will be appealing.
Defence coach Joey Mongalo of the Lions during the Emirates Lions Mixed Zone at Johannesburg Stadium on February 19, 2019 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images)
Lions assistant coach Joey Mongalo will be appealing both his conviction and undisclosed sentence by an Australian court for indecent assault, The Citizen has confirmed
The 34-year-old was in the Downing Centre Local Court in Sydney on Wednesday, where Magistrate K Thompson sanctioned the franchise’s defence guru after he was found guilty on 12 April.
Sordid details had emerged during the trail last year of Mongalo, who was on a Super Rugby tour with the team, of him forcing a hotel employee at Crown Plaza Hotel in Cogee to touch him in an untoward manner.
The court also heard that CCTV footage revealed that Mongalo and the employee had interacted at least two times at a hotel counter before the incident.
Mongalo has returned to South Africa and will be subjected to an internal disciplinary hearing as the franchise views the latest developments in a very serious light.
“The Lions Rugby Company, in consideration of the court ruling handed down in the matter of Mr. Joey Mongalo, hereby confirms that it respects the judicial processes of the Australian Government and the subsequent court ruling in this matter,” the union said in a statement.
“The Lions Rugby Company considers misconduct related to Assault with the Act of Indecency, particularly serious and a direct violation of Lions Rugby Company values and culture. The Lions Rugby Company will follow the normal internal disciplinary processes regarding the matter.”
The union also stated that there will be “no further comment on the matter until the Code of Conduct process has concluded”.
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