The NRL has come down on the Wests Tigers, following the controversial moment against the Bulldogs that saw players make an offensive gesture towards the fans.
While the legitimacy of the offence meant by the khawd, an Arab gesture, has been questioned by many, the league has decided to act, issuing the team an official warning.
West Tigers player Brent Naden has also been hit with a breach notice, after an additional video of him performing the gesture surfaced on social media following the win.
Wests Tigers warned by NRL following alleged offensive gesture
The West Tigers have been issued an official warning by the NRL, after multiple players made the gesture following a Samuela Fainu try to seal their win against premiership-contending Bulldogs.
While the players claim it was retaliation for abuse they received from their opponent's fan base throughout the contest, the league has decided to step in, warning against any future instances.
"The NRL acknowledges that these actions caused, or had the potential to cause, offence to members of the NRL community," a statement read.
But not everyone agrees with the alleged severity of the gesture.
Middle Eastern-Australian NRL expert Michael Chammas penned an impassioned defence of the situation, claiming that there are cultural nuances at play that may not be fully understood by the NRL when considering how offensive it truly was.
"As someone of Middle Eastern background who grew up in the heavily Arab-populated western Sydney suburb of Merrylands, few are better qualified to explain the connotations of the khawd," Chammas wrote for the Sydney Morning Herald.
"Khawd by definition means 'take that' or 'cop that”'. It can be used as an 'up yours', but in recent years it has also become something of an affectionate gesture used among the Australian-Arab community. It’s all in the context and execution.
"The Bulldogs complained to the NRL on behalf of some of their fans who took offence to the Tigers' gesture. But did those fans take offence to the gesture, or because they were on the receiving end of it?
"If ever a situation called for a khawd, Sunday was it. Play on."
Viral NRL creator Jean-Claude Bitar, who regularly incorporates the khwad as part of his content, also defended the Wests Tigers.
"I can't believe you guys are having a sook over this," Bitar said in a TikTok video.
"Get the f**k over yourselves, I've got mates who are Bulldogs fans, and they were all laughing at it, it brings culture and personality to these players."
The Wests Tigers now have five days to respond to the breach notice handed to Naden, with a game against the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles next up for the team this Sunday.