Knights star Mitch Barnett admits to calling Tyrone Peachey a ‘c***’. But he denies racial slur
Knights star Mitchell Barnett has admitted to calling Tyrone Peachey a ‘c***’ but denies he called the Titans forward a ‘black c***’ in Newcastle’s 36-6 loss to the Gold Coast.
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Knights star Mitchell Barnett has admitted to calling Tyrone Peachey a ‘c***’ but denies he called the Titans forward a ‘black c***’ in Newcastle’s 36-6 loss to the Gold Coast.
Peachey told referee Chris Sutton that Barnett directed a racial slur his way, which led to an NRL integrity unit investigation into the incident.
The Knights released a statement supporting Barnett after he told the club he did not use the racist language that Peachey alleged he did.
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The Sydney Morning Herald reported Barnett was interviewed by the integrity unit on Saturday and Peachey spoke to NRL officials about the incident on Sunday.
NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said there was no place for racism in the game, with the investigation set to release its findings in the next 48 hours.
The integrity unit will interview officials who were on the field as well as players who were in the proximity when the incident took place.
Barnett categorically denies the accusation he used the slur ‘black c***’, but Peachey is adamant that is what he heard.
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“I am a proud Wiradjuri man and his comments are not acceptable,” Peachey said in a statement to The Daily Telegraph.
“I need to be a role model to young Indigenous kids and for my two daughters and make sure they know it’s not OK to let people say those remarks.
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“I know exactly what I heard and that’s why I reacted the way I did.
“It can be put down to ignorance, heat of the competition or lack of education. Either way I won’t stand for it.
“Barnett could have called me anything else and it wouldn’t have bothered me, but for him to say what he said, I want him and everyone else to know that those things are not OK to say.”
Peachey received support from injured Rabbitohs star Latrell Mitchell who has been vocal in calling out racism in the game in the past, particularly with fans on social media.
“NRL need to investigate this incident!” Mitchell wrote on an Instagram story.
“This is unacceptable! How can we grow the game when other players are doing this!”
Panthers star Brent Naden also backed Peachey’s stance after he was racially vilified by a group of supporters in a game against the Warriors earlier this season.
Most of the recent incidents involving racism in rugby league have been from fans directing abuse at players.
Former Sharks skipper Paul Gallen was the last player to be reprimanded by the NRL for a similar incident to Peachey’s alleged complaint back in 2009 when he copped a $10,000 fine.
Originally published as Knights star Mitch Barnett admits to calling Tyrone Peachey a ‘c***’. But he denies racial slur