- John Hopoate was involved in an alleged road rage incident
- Former footy star uploaded images to Instagram
- He is contesting a fine and insists he was not the instigator
John Hopoate will challenge a fine imposed following an alleged road rage incident.
Hopoate, 50, was involved in an incident in Narraweena with another man, News Corp reports.
The man, better known as the most suspended player in NRL history, uploaded a short video of the incident to Instagram, where he can be seen standing and threatening a heavyset man on the ground.
The other man, aged 38, reported the incident to police and both men were fined $500 for offensive behaviour.
Hopoate, who had one of the most controversial careers in football history, has insisted he was not the instigator of the incident.
John Hopoate (left) is said to have been involved in a traffic accident in February
“When you’re 6 feet tall and think your height can intimidate anyone when you get out of your car and punch my mirror and wave at me during your road rage,” he wrote in the post.
‘You get punched in the gut and you start shouting HELP ME R***E. Then run to the police like the little B**** you are and file a complaint lol.
“Don’t you think it’s stupid that you got beaten and cried like crazy and then ran away and filed a complaint and nothing would happen because you started it, lol.”
Hopoate, a former heavyweight boxing champion who played for Manly, Wests Tigers and the Northern Eagles, concluded the post with a hashtag that read: ‘not everyone is afraid of your size’.
Hopoate is challenging a fine he received following the incident in New South Wales
The 50-year-old has been involved in a host of controversies as a player. He is best remembered for serving a 12-week ban after repeatedly sticking his finger in the back of the opponent.
The Daily Telegraph reports that NSW Police visited Hopoate in February and fined him. He has chosen to challenge the fine in court.
“Officers were advised that (Hopoate) and another motorist were involved in an altercation at the intersection of Gould Ave and Rowena Rd, Narraweena,” a police spokesperson said.
“There were no reports of serious injuries.”
