Melbourne, Jul 12 (UNI) All rounder Andrew Symonds, who was left high and dry by CA over the racist ''monkey'' slur that overshadowed the past two series between India and Australia, has applauded the National Rugby League's action against the fan who hurled racist abuse against Penrinth's captain Petero Civoniceva.
Symonds was involved in the most talked about alleged racist slur when he had accused Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh of abusing him racially.
He said rugby league's governing body should be praised for their swift action.
''It's great to know it's been dealt with and someone's been penalised for it. The system in place seems to be a good one, it's been dealt with,'' Symonds was quoted as saying by the Courier Mail.
NRL on Wednesday had banned an Eels fan Sper Vega from NRL games for five years after finding him guilty of abusing racially during a match on Sunday at Parramatta Stadium.
''Five years is a long time. I don't know the full story but it's a fairly harsh penalty, whether or not it (should have been) longer, I wouldn't know.
''The biggest thing these days is you have to prove everything, you have to see their lips move,'' he added.
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