Samuela Fainu has explained that the controversial ‘khod’ or ‘khawd’ gesture he and some of his team-mates performed during the Wests Tigers’ underdog victory against Canterbury was never meant to cause harm.
The 21-year-old explained that the gesture, which can be seen as offensive in some Arabic and Lebanese cultures, is used by he and his friends in a ‘light-hearted’ manner to poke a playful jibe at one another.
Fainu scored the Tigers’ final try in their gazumping of flag hopefuls, the Bulldogs, on Sunday, with Benji Marshall’s side clinching a 28-14 victory at the CommBank Stadium.
But an unsavoury talking point has emerged following the match, after Fainu and his team-mate Brent Naden were seen performing the gesture, which sees individuals raise their hand and point their middle finger downwards.
In Arabic, the literal translation of the word ‘khod’ means ‘take’, with some using the gesture with the word ‘khod’ to say ‘take that’, an apparent insult that some have likened to be similar to ‘up yours’ or raising a middle finger.
Fainu, 21, and Naden, 29, were seen directing the symbol towards some Bulldogs supporters in the stands at the stadium as they celebrated the try. However, the Doggies were less than impressed by the celebrations and issued a request to the NRL to investigate the matter.
Footy star Samuela Fainu (right) has insisted his ‘khod’ gesture to Bulldogs fans was never meant to cause harm
Footy star Brent Naden (pictured) was hit with a breach notice by the NRL after he was seen in a video on TikTok performing the ‘khod’ symbol, saying ‘f***ing Dogs’
Naden (right) was also seen performing the symbol during the match, which is said to be akin to the Arabic version of a middle finger
A video of Naden performing the ‘khod’ while saying ‘f***ing Dogs’ also appeared on social media after the match. The centre has since been issued with a breach notice by the NRL over the matter and could cop a punishment.
The NRL simultaneously issued a warning to the Tigers on Wednesday over the matter, stating: ‘The NRL acknowledges that these actions caused, or had the potential to cause offence to members of the NRL community.
‘Separately, the NRL has issued a breach notice to Wests Tigers Player Brent Naden.
‘The notice alleges that Naden’s conduct following the Wests Tigers match on 3 August 2025 contravened the NRL Code of Conduct. The Player will have five days to respond to the breach notice.’
Fainu, who joined the club from the Sea Eagles ahead of the 2024 season, has enjoyed a great 2025 so far, scoring four tries across 17 appearances, averaging 77m per game.
However, while speaking to The Daily Telegraph on Wednesday, he revealed that the gesture was meant to be more of an affectionate joke between friends.
‘The hand gesture I made on Sunday was never intended to hurt or cause harm,’ Fainu told the outlet.
‘It’s something I’ve always shared as light-hearted banter with my friends and even my own brothers.
Fainu (right) scored the Tigers fifth and final try of the match, but added that the gesture was just a ‘playful’ bit of banter
The Bulldogs had issued a complaint to the NRL regarding the gesture but in a twist to the tale an image has gone viral of a group of Canterbury fans performing the ‘khod’ gesture
‘We’ve done it in a playful manner for years, even over a card game, it’s just a part of how we joke around with each other.
‘I’ve got a lot of Arabic friends as I’ve grown up with them and have embraced their culture, some of my closest mates, even my agent is Lebanese, I love them.’
In another twist to the tale, an image has been circulating online, appearing to show Bulldogs fullback Jacob Kiraz giving Tigers five-eighth Adam Doueihi a ‘friendly’ khod before the game. Both players have Lebanese heritage.
Meanwhile, some social media users clapped back at the Bulldogs and their supporters, branding them ‘hypocrites’ after an image appeared online showing Doggies fans appearing to pose during a match performing the ‘khod’ symbol.
Some have been stunned by the backlash the Tigers players have received over the bizarre incident.
‘Bunch of sooks (Bulldogs supporters) – well done Tigers for dishing it back in perfect style,’ said one fan on X in response.
‘Turn the focus on your own fan’s behaviour before whinging,’ suggested another.
‘This is funny….I thought the Bulldogs were a tough club and their fans best in the NRL. Yet [they] cry over some banter! ‘All of a sudden, they get offended so easily. Harden up,’ a third said.
The Tigers, meanwhile, upset the odds to beat the premiership hopefuls, the Bulldogs on Sunday
It came as Lachlan Galvin (left, pictured with Jarome Luai) returned to take on his old club after his controversial exit mid-way through the season
‘(This is the) pot calling the kettle black,’ a fourth weighed in with.
But others have criticised the behaviour of the players, including former Wallabies coach Michael Cheika, who has Lebanese heritage.
‘I was pretty shocked when I was watching the game and saw what was going on after that try – I knew what was going on straight away,’ Cheika told The Sydney Morning Herald.
‘It was very culturally insensitive. They knew what it meant because there were Lebanese players in the team. And they chose to do it in front of kids. They were playing so well, they should have been celebrating with their teammates, not abusing people in the crowd.
‘It’s a pretty offensive gesture in our culture. It’s not cool. The best way to get into the opposition supporters is by doing it on the scoreboard.
‘Considering one of the main shows was at Alex Twal’s house during the week, filming a Lebanese barbecue, and promoting the culture and the game, and then to do that… unfortunately, it was ignorant, and I didn’t like it.’
