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The family of former rugby league coach Paul Green have broken their silence after Queensland boss, Billy Slater, made a grovelling apology for his controversial comments about the coach ahead of State of Origin II.
Green's brother, Rick, revealed his family's displeasure on how Slater had spoken about Paul's tragic passing in 2022 but that they had accepted the Maroons coach's apology.
Slater had been attempting to fire a barb back at former New South Wales prop, Aaron Woods, who had criticised him last week by calling him a 'grub'.
But in an impassioned speech during a press conference on Tuesday, Slater appeared to make reference to the late Maroons coach, Green, who tragically died in 2022.
'Although I might be able to handle [criticism], the next person mightn’t be. Maybe our last coach [Green] didn’t,' Slater had said during the presser.
While Green's family have accepted Slater's apology, they were keen to clarify to the public that Paul passed away as a result of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CT) - not because of a battle with mental health issues, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.
The family of former Queensland coach Paul Green (pictured) have broken their silence after Billy Slater issued an apology to them, after his controversial comments on Tuesday
Slater (pictured) had been attempting to fire a barb back at former NSW prop Aaron Woods when he appeared to make reference to Green's tragic death
Woods (pictured) had thrown shade at Slater ahead of State of Origin II, branding the Queensland coach a 'grub'
'The family regrets that Paul’s name was brought into the current narrative and the manner this has been done,' Rick said, on behalf of the Green family to the outlet.
They told the Sydney Morning Herald that they wished to speak to Slater in the aftermath of State of Origin II.
'The family wants to reiterate that we love Queensland and its team. We also bear great respect for the person charged with the team’s performance.
'It was unfortunate that Mr Slater made the reference that he did, but he has responded appropriately and apologised without reservation. We sincerely wish him the best in his role as the coach of our state team.'
Slater, on Wednesday, issued a public apology to the family, admitting that he had overstepped the mark when it came to his comments, relating to Green's death.
'Yesterday I wrongly made the link between Paul Green's death and the pressures of coaching, which wasn't accurate, nor was it appropriate,' Slater said.
Green's family said that they had accepted Slater's apology but added his comments were 'unfortunate'
'I feel terrible about what I said and I spoke to Amanda Green this morning and apologised for any hurt that it may have caused her and her family.
'I just want to say this, Paul had CTE. It's a different disease to what I was referring to.
'Once again, I'm deeply and genuinely sorry.'
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