Wests Tigers officially warned and centre Brent Naden set for fine after using offensive hand gesture
The Wests Tigers have received an official warning and centre Brent Naden is set for a fine after being handed a breach notice by the NRL for using an offensive Middle Eastern hand gesture during and following Sunday’s win over the Bulldogs.
Naden was one of several Tigers players who used the khawd – the Arab equivalent of the middle finger – during their victory.
After the game, Naden used the gesture again in a social media post, which has since been deleted.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.On Tuesday, NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo confirmed the league was investigating after several complaints from Bulldogs supporters moved the club to ask the league to take a look at the incident.
On Wednesday morning, the NRL released a statement confirming that the warning had been handed out to three players, whom they declined to name, relating to their conduct on the field.
“The NRL acknowledges that these actions caused, or had the potential to cause, offence to members of the NRL community,” the statement said.
“Separately, the NRL has issued a breach notice to Wests Tigers player Brent Naden. The notice alleges that Naden’s conduct following the Wests Tigers match on 3 August 2025 contravened the NRL Code of Conduct. The player will have five days to respond to the breach notice.”
The gesture, which is widely known as a “khawd” or “khod” in the Arab community, is given by lowering the middle finger and pointing it in the direction of another person.
There have been mixed reactions to its use, with suggestions it has taken on a less insulting tone among the younger generation.
