Latrell Mitchell abused: Wayne Bennett praises NRL, questions whether racism can be eradicated

Wayne Bennett has praised the NRL’s response to the Latrell Mitchell racism scandal - but questioned whether it was possible to totally eradicate those views from the game.

Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett has praised the NRL’s response but cast doubt on whether racism can be eradicated following Rabbitohs superstar Latrell Mitchell’s latest attack.

A proud indigenous man and one of the NRL’s highest profile players, Mitchell has been subjected to racial taunts throughout his career.

The 25-year-old has been a vocal anti-racism advocate, regularly standing up for himself despite his relative youth.

Bennett, a former coach of Mitchell’s at Souths with more than 40 years’ experience, said he was proud of the game’s stance against racism.

However the Dolphins coach questioned whether it was possible to totally eradicate racism.

“None of us want it and none of us stand for it,” Bennett said.

“The game’s certainly been strong in that area and I’m proud of the game for that. Society doesn’t want it.

“People go to jail every day because they do something they shouldn’t do. That person last night was out of order and I hope there’ll be a consequence for those involved.

“People are still getting murdered every day if you listen to the news so that’s a shame too, isn’t it?

Wayne Bennett and Latrell Mitchell.

“The fact is we deal with it. It’s not acceptable in our game and that’s all we can control. What comes out of your mouth, you control.

“The game doesn’t tolerate it and the players don’t. It doesn’t happen amongst the players.

“That’s what I’m proud of.”

Bennett, 73, has coached countless indigenous players throughout his career at all levels of the game.

He said Mitchell wasn’t the first player to be racially abused and the game’s response was most important.

“I’ve been around a lot of Aboriginal players throughout my whole coaching career,” he said.

“I can tell you Latrell’s not the first one it’s ever happened to. We manage it, handle it. That’s life.

“We don’t like it, don’t believe in it, but that’s the situation you find yourself in.

“Latrell’s not the only indigenous player to ever have a racial slur.”

Gold Coast Titans coach Justin Holbrook said Mitchell should be revered in the NRL.

“No one wants any of that stuff in the game,” he said.

“We love Latrell as a character and competitor in our game. We don’t need any of those influences.

“The game is tough enough as it is.”

Wayne Bennett has praised the NRL’s stance. Picture: Patrick Woods.

‘ABHORRENT AND INCONCEIVABLE’: NRL UNITES AGAINST RACISM

NRL boss Andrew Abdo has slammed the “abhorrent” abuse directed at Latrell Mitchell during his side’s clash with Penrith.

NRL boss Andrew Abdo has addressed the media to slam the “abhorrent” abuse directed at Latrell Mitchell during his side’s clash with Penrith.

Mitchell was allegedly called a “black dog” as the players came from the field at half-time of the Panthers’ 16-10 win over the Rabbitohs on Thursday night.

“Any form of vilification is completely unacceptable. What I am pleased about though is how the game rallies behind anyone in the game that is affected by this,” Abdo said.

“And I want to commend, in this particular example, Latrell Mitchell for his leadership, for calling out this action.

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

Abdo said it took a lot of courage for Mitchell to call out the comments, and encouraged others in the game to do the same.

“It’s the only way we’re going to eradicate these type of instances in our game,” he said.

South Sydney star Latrell Mitchell was the target of vile racist abuse. Picture: NRL Photos

“Everybody deserves to be respected. And everyone deserves to feel comfortable in our game. It’s one of the things we love about rugby league, the genuine inclusivity that exists.

“The Panthers, Rabbitohs, NRL integrity unit are working with police to uncover the details around the incident.

“Clearly there has been an unfortunate incident where a fan has made a remark to a player. And that has been identified by other players too. And we are now getting to the bottom of what was said by whom and what action we will take.”

Abdo, who was born in South Africa, also spoke of his own personal experiences growing up in his native country.

“I grew up in a country that was divided through racial laws. It was abhorrent. I grew up, when I was very young, when apartheid still existed and I got to see the pain that inflicted,” he said.

NRL CEO Andrew Abdo. Picture: Getty Images

“As someone right in the middle of that, I completely understand how much these types of statements hurt. But then I got to see how South Africa transformed under the leadership of Nelson Mandela.

“The reason I’m using that analogy is when I came to Australia, I was overwhelmed by how inclusive Australian society actually is in comparison to and in context to where I came from. And whilst there are always going to be outliers, individuals in society that are at the extreme, and we’ll do everything we can to educate them and change the way they behave and things they say.”

PREMIER CALLS FOR LIFE BANS

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has called on the NRL to issue a life ban to the perpetrator.

“There is no place for racism at sporting games or anywhere in NSW,” Perrottet said.

“When it happens, it should be stamped out immediately. There should be life bans in place and I call on the NRL to take that action.

“We’ve got to take leadership here and we’ve seen sporting codes take action to stamp this behaviour out whenever it happens. I don’t care how old the person is who is involved in racist behaviour at sporting events. It’s a disgrace. It should be stamped out and there should be life bans in place and I call on the NRL to do it.”

It comes as Mitchell has returned to his farm in Taree to spend time with his family after the South Sydney star was the target of vile racist abuse.

His Taree trip was pre-planned with the Rabbitohs having a long turnaround before their next clash, against the Roosters next Friday.

Mitchell is expected back in Sydney on Sunday when he is likely to be in the crowd for the Tim Tszyu-Tony Harrison bout.

South Sydney star Latrell Mitchell in action during the clash with Penrith. Picture: NRL Photos

The Rabbitohs on Friday morning issued a strong statement via CEO Blake Solly.

“It is inconceivable that we are talking about racism again in 2023,” Mr Solly said.

“I echo the words of our head coach Jason Demetriou from last night’s press conference. Racism cannot exist in our game, in our society, in any way, shape or form.

“This is a deeply disappointing situation, something that our players should never be subjected to, and we feel as a club that the strongest possible action needs to be taken against the perpetrators.

“Latrell is a strong, proud Biripi man. He stands up for himself, his teammates, his club, his family and his people. This should never be discouraged by the actions of some people with archaic views.

“I’ve spoken with both (NRL CEO) Andrew Abdo and (Panthers CEO) Matt Cameron this morning and they have both said they condemn this activity and have given me the undertaking that they will investigate this completely and take the strongest action possible.

“We will assist in any way we can because as a club we will not stand for this behaviour. It is abhorrent, antiquated and needs to be stamped out.

“The only way this is going to stop is if everyone makes the effort to stamp this out. If you’re a fan in the stands and you hear it, see it or read it, then call it out — just as the players from both teams responded to it in the tunnel at the time. This immediate response from Rabbitohs and Panthers players who heard the remark is the response everybody should take. Make sure everyone knows this type of behaviour is not acceptable. There is no other way to stop this than to call it out immediately.

“We thank the stadium security and the NRL for their efforts last night and we look forward to a day when our players can perform on the field, our staff and volunteers can do their jobs off the field and our members and supporters can support their team from the stands, without having to be subjected to this type of disgusting behaviour.”

Players led by Panthers star Nathan Cleary and South Sydney’s Damien Cook have rallied around Mitchell and urged the NRL to come down hard, with Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou calling for life bans to be handed out .

“They’re not fans if they’re saying that stuff,” Cleary said.

Roosters coach Trent Robinson. Picture: Getty Images

“I don’t care who it’s against – they’re not fans. True fans of the game would want to build their players up. There is no place for that stuff and they should never be allowed in the NRL.”

Roosters coach Trent Robinson also weighed in on Friday.

“People have different emotions that’s why we watch sport but to express it in that way is just wrong, it shouldn’t be tolerated or heard,” he said.

“I heard Jason’s comments about banning him for life and as it should be, we have to stamp it out. It’s not about teams and who someone plays for this is a deeper issue and it’s unacceptable.

“That’s where we’re still at as a country and that’s standard for some people, casual racists. That’s where we’re at, people don’t like strong Indigenous voices like Latrell, they would rather he stays quiet in his box and not express it in that way. It’s unacceptable and disappointing.

“I heard about it five minutes ago (that offender was wearing a Roosters jersey) and it’s really disappointing, we dont represent the Roosters in that way, that’s not how we want to act as Roosters. They were wearing our team, that doesn’t mean they are a Rooster. If you want to act like that and do it racially like that, that’s not who we are.”