Gabriel Medina’s official punishment announced

The WSL have just announced the official punishment for Gabriel Medina’s misconduct during the Quiksilver Pro, Gold Coast. As per the WSL Rules and Disciplinary Committee’s decision, Gabriel will be fined. But, he won’t be suspended. You’ll remember last week when Gabriel lost to Glenn Hall in round three of the year’s first event, via an interference call. Gabriel than gave a post-heat interview in which he criticised WSL Commissioner Kieren Perrow, and used language that isn’t appropriate in the WSL’s eyes for live broadcast (he said ‘Fuck’). When Stab inquired as to the dollar figure of the fine, the WSL responded that they abstain from identifying amounts in situations of this nature. 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. The most recent precedent for punishing behaviour like this comes courtesy of dear Jeremy Flores, who stormed the judge’s tower in South Africa following a result he didn’t agree with. Jeremy was given a $6k fine, and a two-event suspension (the US Open and the Billabong Pro, Tahiti). What differentiates Jeremy’s case is that while nothing of the confrontation was broadcast, or even photographed, there was an alleged physical altercation. Gabs just swore on the webcast. And, he did his best to make public amends the following morning. So… is a non-suspension fair? See you at Bells!