Andrew Abdo makes statement on Latrell Mitchell racism allegation

NRL boss Andrew Abdo has stood with Latrell Mitchell, saying the game was ‘genuinely inclusive’ and will ‘call out’ racism.

NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo has responded to the allegations of racial vilification targeted at Souths star Latrell Mitchell in last night’s clash against Penrith in a press conference on Friday morning.

“We will not accept players subjected to any form of vilification or abuse,” he said.

“It’s completely unacceptable.”

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Abdo said he was pleased to see the response to the abuse from the wider rugby league community, praising both clubs for how they rallied around Mitchell.

“I am pleased to see how the game rallies around people affected by this,” he said.

“I want to commend Latrell Mitchell for his leadership.

“Not just Latrell, all of the players from last night from both teams who worked together to assist the stadium, NRL officials, police, everyone in getting all the facts and making sure these types of situations don’t happen in the future.”

Players from both sides came out in support of Mitchell, with Penrith’s Jarome Luai running back up the race to stand with him upon hearing the commotion at halftime.

Latrell Mitchell was allegedly abused by a fan (not pictured) at BlueBet stadium on Thursday night. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

“I know Latrell personally,” Luai told the Sydney Morning Herald.

“If he’s being attacked, I’ve got his back and he’s got my support.

“I saw a few of the boys having a scuffle, I asked ‘Codes’ (Cody Walker) what was going on, and he said what was said.

“It’s definitely not on in our game.”

Penrith captain Nathan Cleary echoed his five-eighth’s sentiments, saying it was “sh*t”.

“I don’t know why people still do that stuff,” he said.

“Latrell is such a pivotal person in our game..but for some reason people in this world want to be negative.”

Abdo said the bipartisan support shown to Mitchell took “a lot of courage”, and that he wanted “to encourage everyone in our game to do the same thing.

The league boss said the NRL were co-operating with police, but would not be drawn on whether the fan in question had been identified, or what Mitchell’s personal feelings on any potential sanction might be.

“You can’t take for granted that being part of rugby league means you have to adhere to certain standards,” he said.

Abdo said he had reached out to Mitchell and Mitchell knew that he had his full support.

The Rabbitohs have rallied around their star fullback. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

“Let’s be honest, these types of things hurt.

“Latrell is a human being.

“Comments like this affect us, whether or not we want to admit that.

“He knows the game stands behind him, and I think he is gaining a lot of strength from the support that he has from everyone inside the game.

Asked whether Latrell could potentially leave the game on the back of the consistent racial abuse he cops from spectators, following concerns from teammate Damien Cook, who told the Sydney Morning Herald that “(the abuse) is why he might talk about being done at 30”.

Abdo said it would be “incredibly disappointing” if it were to cause Latrell’s premature exit from the game, saying he “plays such an important role off the field for the game”.

Latrell Mitchell (left) has said he’d consider returning to his family farm in Taree after rugby league. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

“He’s got an opportunity to make a difference.

“I’m confident he’ll continue to be a hero.”

Abdo spoke about his background in apartheid South Africa, saying that Australia was overwhelmingly a more inclusive society than the one he grew up in, and that rugby league was a game of “genuine inclusivity”.

Abdo reinforced that the individuals responsible for the abuse were “not welcome”, saying they would be “called out”.

“The message to those outlying individuals is very clear. You’re not welcome in our game.

“You’re going to be called out. You’re going to be called out by players, by fans, by officials and eventually it becomes eradicated.”

Originally published as Andrew Abdo makes statement on Latrell Mitchell racism allegation