NZ Warriors winger Marcelo Montoya has been handed a four-match NRL suspension after a homophobic slur in his side's victory over North Queensland Cowboys.
On Friday, the Warriors' 25-24 golden point victory over the Cowboys was overshadowed, as on-field microphones captured a player calling North Queensland winger Kyle Feldt a "f*****".
On Sunday, Montoya confirmed that he was responsible for the incident, as part of an apology offered by the Warriors.
The 26-year-old was hit with a contrary conduct charge, and fronted the NRL judiciary on Tuesday night.
Even after an early guilty plea though, Montoya has still been handed a four-match suspension, double the length of what current Paramatta Eels halfback Mitchell Moses received for the same offence back in 2014 when playing for Wests Tigers.
As part of the hearing, Montoya also offered an apology to Feldt, as well as the LGBT community.
"I acknowledge and accept that the comment I made on Friday night is completely unacceptable," he said.
"If you know the person I am you would know this is completely out of character. I am fully remorseful for my actions.
"In saying all of this I would like to apologise to Kyle Feldt, to the NRL and to the gay community, and anyone else that I have offended, as I know and respect the work that the NRL has done to ensure inclusiveness and diversity within the NRL community."
NRL legal counsel Lachlan Gyles argued for a six-game ban, but sought a four-match ban due to Montoya's previously good record, and his remorse after the fact.
The suspension means Montoya will be available for the Warriors again in round 10 at the earliest, after already being left out of the side to face Sydney Roosters this weekend.
