PTI

Canberra, Jul 12: Australian all rounder Andrew Symonds has hailed Australia's National Rugby League's decision to ban a fan, who hurled racist abuse against Penrinth's captain Petero Civoniceva, saying it was satisfying to see someone being penalised for wrongdoing.

Symonds himself was involved in cricket's most talked about alleged racist slur when he had accused Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh of abusing him racially.

Symonds 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.

The Australian star said though he was not aware of the real incident, still he appreciates the NRL action.

"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," he said.

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.