Parramatta Eels Respond to Cheeky Sideline Reporter Prank with Swift Action

Okay, I need to shorten the given content to about 650 words and suggest places for pictures. Let me start by reading through the original article to understand what’s important.

The main points are: Joe Ofahengaue pulled down Zac Lomax’s pants during a live TV interview with Eloise Sohier. The Eels management made him apologize, both to Sohier and to Fox Sports. There’s some background on Ofahengaue’s past controversies. Fans reacted negatively, and the article includes some quotes from social media. Also, there are three images mentioned in the original HTML that I should reference.

First, I’ll identify the key information. The incident, the immediate response (apologies), fan reactions, Ofahengaue’s history, and the three images. Since the user wants it shortened, I need to condense each section without losing essential details.

I’ll start by summarizing the incident in the first paragraph. Then mention the apologies from Ofahengaue and the club. Include some fan reactions but maybe pick the most representative quotes instead of listing all. Briefly touch on his past controversies, but perhaps shorten the details there. The images are from the original article, so I should note where they might fit: one of the incident, one of the apology process, maybe one of Ofahengaue for context.

Need to check the word count as I go, but aiming for around 650. Let me draft each section concisely. Also, add suggestions for picture placements in square brackets. Avoid using markdown, keep paragraphs short for readability. Ensure the flow makes sense, moving from the event, to responses, to past issues, and conclusion.
Parramatta Eels Star Joe Ofahengaue Apologizes After Live TV Prank
By James Cooney | Updated: 05:44 GMT, 16 February 2025

Parramatta forward Joe Ofahengaue has issued an apology to Fox League reporter Eloise Sohier after pulling teammate Zac Lomax’s shorts down during a live TV broadcast. The incident occurred during a trial match against Newcastle on Friday night, sparking backlash from fans and swift action from the Eels’ management.

[Image: Lomax mid-interview with shorts around his ankles, Ofahengaue grinning in the background.]

Ofahengaue, 29, playfully “dacked” Lomax as he spoke to Sohier on camera, leaving the new Eels recruit red-faced and scrambling to pull up his shorts. Sohier handled the awkward moment professionally, joking, “As he gets dacked live on television, Zac… give it up for Zac Lomax!” While Lomax was wearing underwear, the prank drew criticism for its unprofessionalism.

Club Takes Action
Parramatta officials condemned the stunt, with football manager Mark O’Neill directing Ofahengaue to personally apologize to Sohier. CEO Jim Sarantinos also contacted Fox Sports managing director Steve Crawley to express regret. The club emphasized that such behavior has no place in professional sport.

[Image: Ofahengaue speaking on the phone, caption mentions his apology to Sohier.]

Fan Backlash
Social media erupted with disapproval, with fans calling the act “disgraceful” and “embarrassing.” One commenter noted, “This isn’t funny—it’s a simple assault.” Others questioned the NRL’s response, urging accountability for players’ conduct.

Ofahengaue’s Controversial Past
The Tongan international has faced prior scandals, including a 2017 casino cheating incident and a 2020 traffic violation. While he avoided conviction in both cases, the latest prank reignited concerns over his judgment.

[Image: Ofahengaue with partner Sofi Leota at a team event.]

Moving Forward
The Eels are expected to handle the matter internally, with no NRL sanction announced yet. The incident highlights ongoing debates about professionalism in sports, as the club aims to focus on their upcoming season opener against Canterbury.

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