Brisbane star Ezra Mam is now closer to receiving a lengthy ban from the game after the NRL gave him a violation notice for bringing the game and the Broncos into disgrace.
When Mam, 22, appeared in Brisbane Magistrates Court on December 16, he was fined $850 for driving under the influence and driving without a license. In addition to receiving a nine-month driving ban, he was also given an infringement notice for not exercising sufficient vehicle control.
Because of the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the RLPA, the NRL has suggested a ban; however, the specifics of the discipline cannot be revealed until Mam has replied to the notice, which would claim he has violated the NRL’s.
According to the breach notification, Mam has committed illegal behavior that has damaged the reputation of the Broncos and the game.
He drove his Ford Ranger into the oncoming traffic lane on October 18 and collided with a car driven by Uber driver Marcel Van Den Camp, according to the court’s decision.
The female passenger, her baby daughter, and the driver were all hurt.
Magistrate Mark Nolan verbally reprimanded Mam in court.
The Broncos pivot was reprimanded for his “stupid decision” to drive without a license while under the influence of cocaine and other narcotics.
Given that you were in a two-car motor vehicle accident, you are quite fortunate to be where you are now, he stated.
It is possible that you or the other people could have been… murdered.
Illicit narcotics have no place in our community, and it is definitely not appropriate for someone who uses them to operate a motor vehicle. You must take this as a lesson.
There was a public outrage about Mam’s sentencing.
Queensland Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie called the court-imposed punishment “a slap on the wrist” and stated, I think it’s disgraceful.
Deb Frecklington, the attorney general of Queensland, concurred and stated that the government will take legislative change into consideration.
I understand that this outcome doesn’t pass the pub test for many Queenslanders, she said.
The majority of Queenslanders would anticipate that the punishment for a motorist found to have drugs in their system would be harsher than the punishment for using a cell phone while operating a motor vehicle.
I’ll be discussing potential modifications to our laws with my colleagues, especially the minister of transportation.
Mam apologized in public.
He stated, This incident doesn’t represent who I want to be or what is expected of me as a role model.”
I apologize to the Brisbane Broncos, the NRL, the supporters, and my family. I commit to improving myself as a person and as a representative of the team and the sport I love.
The Broncos have a backup plan in case Mam is unable to play. After the previous captain of St George Illawarra obtained a release, they signed Ben Hunt to a two-year contract.
Since making her debut in 2022, Mam has participated in 57 NRL games for the Broncos. He scored three tries in the Broncos’ 2023 grand final defeat to Penrith, but he was unable to duplicate that performance the previous season as the team dropped to 12th place.
He stated, This incident doesn’t represent who I want to be or what is expected of me as a role model.”
I apologize to the Brisbane Broncos, the NRL, the supporters, and my family. I commit to improving myself as a person and as a representative of the team and the sport I love.