Parramatta Eels take swift action over ‘cheeky’ sideline prank involving footy reporter

Parramatta forward Joe Ofahengaue has been forced to apologise to Fox League presenter Eloise Sohier following a childish act involving Eels teammate Zac Lomax during a live TV cross on Friday night.

Ofahengaue, 29, ‘dacked’ Lomax as he spoke to Fox Sports reporter Eloise Sohier on camera during the second half of a trial match against Newcastle.

Lomax was left red-faced, with his shorts literally around his ankles after Ofahengaue’s antics at McDonald Jones Stadium.

Thankfully for viewers – and Sohier – Lomax was wearing underwear.

Sohier kept her composure, stating: ‘As he gets dacked live on television Zac….give it up for Zac Lomax.’

The ‘NRL Roast’ account on X described Ofahengaue’s act as ‘cheeky’, but Parramatta officials were not at all happy.

Parramatta star Joe Ofahengaue has been forced to apologise following a childish act involving Eels teammate Zac Lomax (pictured) during a live TV cross on Friday

Eels general manager of football Mark O’Neill asked Ofahengaue to contact Eloise Sohier to personally apologise

News Corp reports that Eels general manager of football Mark O’Neill asked Ofahengaue to contact Sohier to express his remorse for the incident personally.

Eels boss Jim Sarantinos ever contacted Fox Sports managing director Steve Crawley to apologise.

Footy fans on social media have condemned the schoolyard prank from Ofahengaue.

‘This is not funny.. it’s disgraceful and embarrassing,’ fumed one supporter on the NRL Roast Facebook page.

‘Great. Now as a teacher I will have to deal with boys doing this to each other at school. It actually classifies as a ‘simple assault’ so its not funny at all,’ posted another.

A third asked ‘are the NRL going to do anything about it’ before questioning the professionalism of some footy players.

Ofahengaue, 29, ‘dacked’ Lomax as he spoke to Fox Sports reporter Eloise Sohier during the second half of a trial match against Newcastle ( the forward is pictured, with partner Sofi Leota)

Ofahengaue is no stranger to controversy – in 2017, the forward appeared in court after he was caught on CCTV footage cheating in a game of poker at a Brisbane casino.

It is understood the Queensland Origin star placed a $100 chip under a $15 chip while the dealer was distracted, later receiving a $400 fine with no conviction.

And in 2020, Ofahengaue was charged by Queensland police for a traffic infringement after he was found asleep behind the wheel of his car.

He was then suspended for two matches by the Broncos, before moving to the Tigers then Eels.