Penrith closing in on the fan who allegedly racially vilified Greg Inglis

PENRITH officials have identified several suspects in their search for the fan who allegedly racially vilified South Sydney superstar Greg Inglis at Panthers Stadium last weekend.

Souths Greg Inglis with Souths Cody Walker after Souths loss in the Penrith Panthers v South Sydney rugby league game at Panthers Stadium, Penrith. Picture: Brett Costello

PENRITH officials have identified several suspects in their search for the fan who allegedly racially vilified South Sydney superstar Greg Inglis at Panthers Stadium last weekend.

The Panthers completed their investigation on Monday and forwarded all details — including CCTV footage, still-frame images and security reports — to the NRL integrity unit.

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Inglis was allegedly called a “black dog” by a fan when being assisted from the field for a concussion test during South Sydney’s 18-14 loss last Saturday afternoon.

The Daily Telegraph understands the Panthers have pinpointed “people of interest”.

“We have supplied them (the NRL) with all the information,” Panthers group CEO, Brian Fletcher said.

Fletcher and Penrith general manager of football, Phil Gould, have spent the past 48 hours attempting to locate the culprit.

Penrith are waiting to be told whether the NRL will take over the investigation or whether police will be called to conduct interviews.

Asked had Penrith fingered the culprit, Fletcher said: “I can’t say that at this stage.”

The Daily Telegraph spoke to an eyewitness to the incident, who said the comment was “loud, clear and there were kids round.”

Several people who sat around the tunnel area, where Inglis was abused, are under scrutiny. A least three were seen to be roaring at Inglis.

“It’s difficult in crowded venues around tunnels, spotting people and identifying people,” said NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg, who reached out to Inglis on Sunday afternoon.

“It was appalling, disgusting. There was a great crowd there, a great game of footy, and it’s particularly disappointing that one person can spoil some of those headlines.

The NRL plans to throw the book at the culprit.

“If we find this culprit, we will throw the book at him.

“I know Greg personally and I have developed a relationship with him. When I heard what had been said, I wanted to make sure he realised that it’s not what rugby league stands for. He knows that.

“He will be stung by it, he’ll be hurt by it, as you would expect, but he will keep turning up. That’s the mark of the man. The message is simple. We don’t tolerate that sort of behaviour. You’re not welcome in our game.”

Former Queensland coach Mal Meninga knows the drama will have hurt Inglis.

“He doesn’t deserve it — it’s disgraceful. I know how much this would have hurt him. It shouldn’t be tolerated,” Meninga told The Daily Telegraph. “I know how sensitive he is to it. I just hope he’s okay. He is passionate about who he is.

“GI is a proud indigenous person. He works really hard behind the scenes to promote indigenous issues. That’s where he wants to be when he finishes playing his footy.

“You’d think something like would have long disappeared out of our society. I hope they find the person and they rid them from our game. It’s got to be a lifetime ban. I’m glad GI has taken the action he has taken.

“This is a really important issue for the game and we don’t need people who are willing to racially vilify people in our game.”

Darren Lockyer, who played with Inglis for the Maroons and Kangaroos, was equally outraged.

“The game has taken a really strong stance on it, sport in general leads the way in showing that type of behaviour is not acceptable in our society,” Lockyer said.

“If these allegations are proven correct, I’m sure the game will come down hard on the person responsible.”

Originally published as Penrith closing in on the fan who allegedly racially vilified Greg Inglis