NRL 2021: NRL CEO Andrew Abdo slams social-media abuse of Brisbane Broncos players

NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo has applauded the Broncos for taking a stand against online trolling of its players and vowed to work with police to weed out the culprits.

Tesi Niu in action for the Broncos against the Knights. Picture: NRL Photos

NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo has vowed to work with police to wipe out social-media trolls in the wake of shameful abuse of Brisbane Broncos stars.

The Broncos have asked the NRL integrity unit to investigate a series of vile social-media posts after Brisbane players were subjected to savage criticism in the wake of their 28-20 defeat to Newcastle on Friday night.

Broncos hierarchy have passed on a dossier of expletive-laden abuse to the NRL, with Jordan Riki, Tesi Niu and Tyson Gamble copping the brunt of social-media attacks in a drama-charged postscript to Brisbane’s 28-20 loss to the Knights at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night.

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The Broncos put in a much-improved showing but that hasn’t stopped some fans taking to social media, firing private messages to Riki, Niu and Gamble that have been described as “appalling”.

Brisbane’s media department took the extraordinary step of publishing screen shots of the abuse — with the approval of CEO Dave Donaghy — to call-out repugnant criticism of Broncos players.

Tesi Niu copped abuse on social media after the Broncos’ loss to the Knights. Picture: NRL Photos

In one message sent to Riki, the Broncos back-rower was labelled a “soft-hearted c***” by one social-media attacker. Another abuser slammed Niu as “s***” and called for him to be axed to reserve grade, prompting the Broncos fullback to reply: “Thank you brother, appreciate the love. Hope that made you feel better.”

Abdo threw his support behind Broncos players and put social-media trolls on notice, saying the NRL will exhaust every avenue, including the help of police, to end the disgraceful attacks.

“There’s no place for any form of abuse or vilification towards our players or anyone in society,” he said.

“I commend the playing group for taking a stand against online trolling. I hope it gives members of the community the confidence to do the same if they are victims of such behaviour.

NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo has thrown his support behind the Broncos players. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“We will work with the players and police, as we have done previously to ensure we remove these individuals from our game. We commend the players for calling this out and we stand behind them in their actions.

“There is no place in our game for vilification of any sort.”

Brisbane skipper Alex Glenn last year revealed Brisbane players had suffered death threats and the Broncos, as an entire club, have had a gutful of the social-media slurs.

The social-media issue reached a flashpoint last year when former Broncos coach Anthony Seibold was the victim of a shocking smear campaign that prompted him to hire European cybersecurity investigators.

Broncos chief executive Donaghy has been briefed on the latest attacks with Brisbane making contact with the NRL integrity unit.

Jordan Riki arrives for Brisbane's clash with the Knights. Picture: NRL Photos

Tyson Gamble looks on after a Knights try. Picture: NRL Photos

The Broncos will also explore if there is an avenue for Queensland Police to investigate the matter, as occurred last year when they launched a probe into the social-media attacks on Seibold.

The Broncos posted a comment across their social-media platforms rallying in the support of their players amid concerns for their mental health.

“The Brisbane Broncos strongly condemn all forms of discrimination and online abuse,” the statement said. “There is no place in sport or society for offensive or threatening behaviour of any kind, including on social media.

“We stand with our players in the push for changes and will continue to challenge and report such disgusting behaviour.”

This has to stop. pic.twitter.com/urKEFZ0TNo

— Brisbane Broncos (@brisbanebroncos) August 6, 2021

Glenn last year said he feared for the welfare of his Broncos teammates such as Niu and Riki, who are aged 19 and 21 respectively.

“Certain teammates are getting death threats on social media. People can have their judgments but that is not acceptable,” he said.

“I am a big ambassador on mental health. No one should be told to go do something harmful to themselves for the way they are playing.”

“I have been in the industry a long time and I can switch off on social media, I can deal with the pressures but some of the younger boys can’t.

Alex Glenn last year revealed Brisbane players had suffered death threats. Picture: NRL Photos

“Some are 21 years-old, they are put in the limelight. When they get those comments ... I know deep down it affects them mentally - it hurts them and it hurts their families when they read it.”

“I have just had enough.

“I understand it is a tough industry, we get paid to be professional athletes and we should be performing every week, but no-one deserves to be told they should kill themselves.

“That’s the issue. I was putting my foot down on that.”