Today the World Surf League announced it’s official punishment for the misconduct of World Champion, Gabriel Medina, at this year’s Quiksilver Pro, Gold Coast.
The WSL Rules and Disciplinary Committee has decided that Gabe will be fined but not suspended from any WSL sanctioned events. The WSL have declined to disclose the amount he will be fined.
Cast your mind back to last week at the whacky Quiksilver Pro, Gold Coast and the heat between Gabe and Micro Hall, in which he lost. In a post-heat interview with Peter Mel, Gabe used some “bad words” and was cut off from finishing his sentence. He also criticised Commissioner Kieren Perrow’s handling of the contest.
Contrast this to the decision last year to fine Jeremy Flores 6K and suspend him for two events (the US Open and the Billabong Pro, Tahiti) after an alleged physical altercation in the judge’s tower. Though the incident was not broadcast or photographed it did get physical while Gabe merely said ‘Fuck’. He also did his penance live on Dawn Patrol the morning after whereas Jeremy did not. However there will still be many scratching their heads as to why transparency on the dollar figure wasn’t made public.
Here’s the official statement:
The World Surf League (WSL) Rules and Disciplinary Committee has completed its investigation into the Medina/Hall incident from the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast. Following conversations with both parties involved as well as reviewing broadcast footage, the Rules and Disciplinary Committee has determined that Medina was in violation of the athlete Code of Conduct and has been fined as a result. Medina’s efforts following the incident to amend any public misperceptions about his and Hall’s relationship have been noted and appreciated. We wish all competitors good fortune at the upcoming Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach.
Medina and Hall quickly made peace following the incident in the competitor’s area. The Brazilian Champ also appeared on the WSL Dawn Patrol Show the following morning to address his on-camera conduct.
Bring on Bells!
