Cooper hit by big fine for Tweets

Published on 01/11/2012 00:00

Australia playmaker Quade Cooper has apologised to fans after being fined and handed 
a suspended ban for two 
disciplinary breaches.

The Wallabies and Queensland No 10, who received a £38,700 fine, admitted he let the Australian rugby union down with controversial Twitter messages and comments in the media.

Cooper also got a three-match ban, suspended for two years, after a four-and-a-half-hour meeting at ARU headquarters in Sydney. He will pay two-thirds of the fine immediately, with the rest 
suspended for two years.

Among the claims made by Cooper was that the Wallabies set-up was “toxic”.

After the hearing, the 24-year-old said: “I’m happy with the outcome and sentence handed to me. I have full respect for that. I understand I fell well below par of what it means to be a Wallaby.

“For all the supporters who are out there, my apologies. I want to focus on the future and moving forward I am determined to restore the faith people have placed in me.

“My passion for representing my country is very strong and I am focused on having a strong year next year.”