NRL issue ‘indefinite ban notices’ to two fans following alleged racial abuse of star Rabbitohs
The NRL have announced that they’ve issued indefinite ban notices to two spectators who racially abused South Sydney stars Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker during last Saturday’s Rabbitohs-Dragons game at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Kogarah.
The NRL was made aware of the allegations by an email from a member of the public in attendance, who reported the abuse came from fans “sitting behind” them.
NRL CEO Andrew Abdo says the league will not tolerate abuse directed at players, while commending the fans who brought the incident to to the NRL’s attention.
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“Racism must be called out in all its forms because the standard you walk past is the standard you accept,” Mr Abdo said via the NRL’s statement.
“Attending a rugby league match should be a positive, welcoming and respectful environment for everyone. We want everyone to feel welcome and enjoy the experience.
“The Spectator Code of Conduct has been set up specifically to deal with instances like this and we will continue to take action against any patron who displays offensive or anti-social behaviour.
“We have a strong system in place which enables us to deal with these types of comments quickly and decisively. The system also enables other spectators to be confident enough to report inappropriate comments, which in this case has allowed us to act.
“As a game we need to stand with our players and ensure they are treated with respect at all times. We will continue to protect players in their place of work.”
In an email sent to the NRL and various media publications, a spectator detailed the racial abuse directed at Mitchell and Walker. It’s not known if either player heard the below comments.
“I attended the Dragons-Rabbitohs game, where the people sitting behind me were continually racist all game at Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker,” the email said.
“They said ‘Latrell is like Mundine and the rest of them, a black whinger that needs to learn to shut up’.
“Cody was then called a “dirty dog”... After the fifth occasion, I called the man out when he said Latrell was a “black bastard” and when I asked him to stop he said “why should I, it’s my opinion” and he continued to repeat it.
“I then called security and he asked the man what he said. The man admitted to saying “black bastard” and more. The security then said to me “so what he didn’t say it to you”.
“The man that was [making the comments] then proceeded to leave the ground and I begged the security guard to get his details off him before he left.
“The security guard refused and threatened to kick me out of the ground because I called him an “idiot” for not doing anything.”
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The Rabbitohs, the Dragons and the NRL all released statements early Monday afternoon.
“The Rabbitohs stand in condemnation of any form of racism in our sport, and society in general, and will support the NRL’s investigation in any way possible,” the South Sydney statement read.
“The NRL integrity unit is aware of the allegations,” an NRL spokesperson told The Daily Telegraph.
“The NRL takes these allegations seriously and is looking into them as a matter of priority.”
“The Dragons have today been made aware by the NRL of an alleged incident of racial abuse directed at South Sydney players during the match at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium on Saturday night,” St.George-Illawarra’s statement read.
“The Dragons are working closely with the NRL, Rabbitohs and the venue to understand the facts of the matter.
“Racial discrimination has no place in our sport or in our society. The Dragons stand united with the NRL and with the Rabbitohs in condemning racism in all its forms.”