NRL referee Gerrard Sutton is expected to be ruled out of officiating for at least two weeks, 24 hours after he controlled the Round 7 clash between Penrith and South Sydney.
As first reported by The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield, Sutton on Friday tested negative to COVID-19.
But the whistle-blower is still facing a 14-day isolation period after an individual this week tested positive at Camden High School, where Sutton’s child is a student.
“There is no likelihood of players being exposed and there is no possibility that the players that played on Thursday under Gerry Sutton can be infected,” NRL head of football Graham Annesley told NRL.com on Friday.
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However, Sutton will now almost certainly be required to quarantine for 14 days under the NRL’s strict COVID-19 protocols.
NRL biosecurity experts are expected to make a call on Sutton’s self-isolation on Saturday.
Veteran Canterbury prop Aiden Tolman missed his side’s previous two matches after an identical scare.
A teacher at the primary school Tolman’s child attends tested positive to coronavirus earlier this month.
That forced the Round 5 clash between the Bulldogs and Sydney Roosters to be delayed by 24 hours.
The 31-year-old did not return a positive test but was also forced to complete a 14-day self-isolation period.
