Brooke Boney slams ‘disgusting’ alleged racial abuse of Souths’ Latrell Mitchell

Today presenter Brooke Boney has rallied around Latrell Mitchell - declaring racist abuse of the NRL star is “making people sick”.

Latrell Mitchell of the Rabbitohs interacts with fans as he walks down the tunnel. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Today presenter Brooke Boney has spoken out this morning in defence of Souths’ star fullback Latrell Mitchell, after it emerged that he was allegedly racially abused during the Rabbitohs 16-10 loss to Penrith at BlueBet Stadium on Thursday night.

Watch every game of every round of the 2023 NRL Telstra Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

The fan, who reportedly wasn’t wearing Panthers or Souths gear, was heard allegedly calling the footy star a ‘black dog’, and was reportedly swiftly removed from the stadium by security.

Boney, herself a proud Gamilaroi Gomeroi woman, called the abuse “disgusting”.

“As the only Indigenous person (on the panel) I just want to jump in and I want to say that racism in sport, racism everywhere has to stop,” she said.

“To be able to go to work and do your job is something that everyone should be able to do.

“Latrell Mitchell is a big boy, he can look after himself, but nobody should have to go to work and be abused - that’s disgusting.

“It is not just Latrell going out on the field, it is kids at home watching this as we report it, seeing comments on Facebook when the clip gets posted, it is disgusting and it has to stop - it is making people sick.”

News Corp reported the incident is alleged to have taken place as the players came from the field at halftime.

Today show host Brooke Boney is a proud Gamilaroi woman. Pic: Nine

“I saw an incident at halftime in the tunnels as Souths players made their way to the sheds...the alleged fans involved in this have left the ground,” Lara Pitt said on Fox League.

Souths coach Jason Demetriou was furious in the post-match press conference.

“It happened,” he said of the allegations.

“It’s not the first time we’ve come here as a club and our players have been racially abused.

“Where does it end? It’s just not on.

“I shouldn’t have to be able to come here as a coach and lead a team of players in here to be racially abused.”

Demetriou said Mitchell, a Biripi and Wiradjuri man who has been vocal about the racial abuse he has received in the past, was “sick” of the abuse, and called for life bans for those involved in perpetuating it.

“It’s not what our game’s about and we have to stamp it out completely,” he said.

“NRL, clubs, they have to get rid of it.

“Life bans. Anyone who wants to (racially abuse), get them out of the game.

“We don’t want their support. It’s got to end.”

Rabbitohs star fullback Latrell Mitchell has been vocal about his experiences with racism in the past. Pic: Getty

Demetriou revealed the toll the abuse is beginning to take on Mitchell, and that the Rabbitohs want the alleged offender prosecuted.

“He’s sick of it. Why wouldn’t he be?” Demetriou said.

“He should be able to come here as a star of our game and not be racially abused.

“I can’t get my head around how a young kid thinks that is the language to be using.

“I don’t care what jersey he’s wearing.

“From what I understand, the security have done a great job identifying who it is.

“The club has done a great job identifying who it is, and now we’ll take it through the police.

“We’ll go all the way, as far as we can with it.”

NRL boss Andrew Abdo said an investigation was under way.

“Any form of racism or vilification will not be tolerated in our sport.

“We will not accept this behaviour from anyone.”

Mitchell has spoken out in the past, saying “(Indigenous players) cop it every day is it is”.

“Adam Goodes gave up his career because of it.”

Mitchell was also at the centre of racist abuse during his switch to South Sydney from the rival Roosters, telling News Corp in 2020 that he was “that close to giving up”.

“I thought, why don’t I just go get a nine-to-five job and not be in the spotlight?” he said.

“Mental health is a major issue in the world at the moment, and Indigenous men have the highest suicide rate in the world, so that’s crazy.

“I’ve had my demons and dark times with all this racism stuff.

“There’s only so much a person can take before enough is enough.

“I thought if I give up now, I’m giving these people what they want - there are a lot of people who want me to fail, and I’m not the type of person to give up.”

“Racism isn’t just a topic for this week, Black Lives Matter isn’t just a trend, this is something that’s happened all my life.”

"It's not the first time we've come here as a club and our players have been racially abused" pic.twitter.com/ef4kXmN4xx

— Fox League (@FOXNRL) March 9, 2023

With the alleged fan in this case also reportedly a kid, similarly to the infamous Adam Goodes “ape” incident, it is demonstrative of more insidious and deep-running attitudes on race within Australian sport that evidently are not shifting.

A Penrith statement released on Thursday night read: “Penrith Panthers is aware of an alleged incident involving a rugby league fan that occurred at half-time of the Round 2 match against South Sydney Rabbitohs at BlueBet Stadium.

“The NRL was immediately informed of the alleged matter, and the club will work with the NRL to investigate the situation.

“At this point, the Panthers will make no further comment.”

Originally published as Brooke Boney slams ‘disgusting’ alleged racial abuse of Souths’ Latrell Mitchell