‘Let’s move on’: Latrell breaks silence, stresses there was no ‘malice’ in radio interview

Souths superstar Latrell Mitchell has declared that his expletive-laden radio interview last Thursday contained “no intent” or “no malice”.

Souths superstar Latrell Mitchell has declared that his expletive-laden radio interview last Thursday contained “no intent” or “no malice”, and stated everyone should “move on”.

Mitchell responded to a Fox League Instagram post which outlined comments from Souths teammate Cam Murray’s impassioned defence of the fullback.

Mitchell’s social media response to the firestorm surrounding the controversial Triple M interview comes after the NRL opted not to sanction him on Monday.

Latrell Mitchell breaks silence on controversial radio interview.

Latrell Mitchell's Triple M interview.

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The Sydney Morning Herald reported NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo phoned Souths CEO Blake Solly on Saturday to arrange a meeting with Mitchell this week to discuss his concerns with his behaviour.

However, the NRL will not hit Mitchell with a breach notice for the interview that has been viewed by 164,000 people on Triple M NRL’s Instagram account.

Mitchell said at one point in the interview: “I don’t care if I’m swearing, boys”.

“Honestly f***, it was s***, the first bit, it was a hard game, f***,” Mitchell said in the interview.

“Honestly [the Broncos] are big boys, they’re competitors, you wonder why they came runners-up last year, so f***, we can build on that.

Souths will arrange a time for Mitchell to speak to Abdo, but won’t sanction their player over the incident.

“We encourage players to be themselves and be authentic,” Abdo told The Sydney Morning Herald.

Latrell Mitchell will not be sanctioned by the NRL.

“However, they also know they are professionals and role models which means setting an example.

“When speaking to fans via media interviews, we have a responsibility to be respectful.”

The NRL’s stance comes a week after they refused to sanction Mitchell or other NRL players for commenting publicly on the Spencer Leniu judiciary case after the Roosters prop admitted to directing a racist slur towards Broncos star Ezra Mam.

The NRL and Abdo are set to issue Mitchell with a warning over his behaviour and remind him about his responsibility as a contracted rugby league player.

Mitchell’s Rabbitohs teammates spoke about the interview to media on Monday, with Jack Wighton claiming he “could have dealt with things in a better way”.

“But it’s Trell, and things seem a bit bigger when it’s Trell,” he said.

“We made [a pact] over the off-season that even if it’s right or wrong, we need to tell each other the truth. And we won’t be perfect.

“He’s got a big heart. It could have been handled differently, but it’s not something we’ll carry on about.”

Murray echoed Wighton’s opinion but did reveal he didn’t fully agree with the criticism levelled at Mitchell.

“I swear a lot, just not in front of the camera, but that’s me,” Murray said.

“The good thing we do at this club is embrace everyone and empower everyone to be themselves.

“I’m sure if Latrell had his time over again, he’d be a bit more selective with his words. But that’s what happens when you grab someone 30 seconds after a game, emotions are still running high, you have a competitor who just wants to win, and there’s a lot of frustration in the air.

“I don’t see too much wrong with it. Anyone who knows Latrell deep down knows all he wants to do is win, he wants to back his team, he wants to be the best team player and empower his team.

“Everyone swears these days, you can’t put a podcast on without hearing swearing, you can’t scroll through social media without swearing. That’s the world we live in.”

Former Bulldogs and Dragons star James Graham also defended Mitchell on Triple M.

“Latrell has come away from the field on Thursday night after losing again and it is frustration,” Graham said.

Latrell Mitchell has responded.

“Did he use the wrong words? Absolutely. But I have been in that position myself where I was criticised for some of my actions on the field and for not being a good role model.

“Well that is just me being overcome with emotion. I was wrong to do what I did granted. But in that moment I am not even aware that people are watching or aware that people are listening.

“And there is obviously a difference when the mic is in front of you, but look he shouldn’t have used those words and he knows he is wrong.”

Fox League’s James Hooper believes Mitchell didn’t plan his expletive-laden rant and made a mistake in the heat of the moment.

“I don’t think it was calculated,” Hooper said.

 “It was a loose carry.”

League legend Gorden Tallis pointed out that there has been history of expletives in on-field interviews and called for everyone to learn form Mitchell’s mistake.

“Remember in 2005 when the Tigers won the grand final, so it has been done before,” Tallis said.

“I just hope it is a lesson to everybody. Is it wrong? Yes. Should it have happened? Defenitely not.

“Could the interviewer have stopped it? Absolutely. Should Latrell have not said it? Absolutely.”

Mitchell and Souths take on arch rivals the Roosters on Friday night at Allianz Stadium.

Originally published as ‘Let’s move on’: Latrell breaks silence, stresses there was no ‘malice’ in radio interview