Josh McGuire banned over slur in Super League trial

Former NRL enforcer Josh McGuire has been banned for seven English Super League matches after being found guilty of derogatory abuse in a pre-season trial.

JOSH MCGUIRE.
JOSH MCGUIRE. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Josh McGuire has landed in immediate hot water on his move to the English Super League, with the former NRL enforcer banned for seven games for a derogatory slur in a pre-season trial.

McGuire was on Tuesday night found guilty of a Grade F charge for abusive language to an opponent stemming out of a pre-season testimonial match for Warrington.

In a statement, the Rugby Football League claimed McGuire had used "unacceptable language" regarding people with a disability towards a Leigh Leopards player.

"McGuire was dismissed during the match and referred to tribunal on a Grade F charge carrying a minimum six-match suspension," the league said in a statement.

"He is also fined PS1,000 ($A1,700) and required to undertake mandatory education.

"McGuire will face a seven-match suspension."

McGuire's opponent and fellow Australian Tom Amone was also found not guilty of a similar charge stemming from the same incident.

The ban means McGuire will not debut in the Super League until April, after signing a two-year deal with Warrington last July.

It also comes after the former Queensland State of Origin and Australian Test representative endured a lengthy run of suspensions late in his NRL career.

He missed 10 games in bans from five separate offences in the 2021 season alone at St George Illawarra, after also being hit with another five charges in the two years before that.

It prompted the 32-year-old to admit he needed to clean up his act last year, avoiding any further suspensions after missing the first five rounds of the year due to a ban incurred in the previous season.