Roosters fans warned to behave ahead of showdown with Rabbitohs after Latrell Mitchell abuse

While distancing themselves from the teen who racially abused Latrell Mitchell last week, the Roosters have issued a severe warning ahead of their clash with the Rabbitohs.

AFL player Adam Goodes in Adelaide. Photo: ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’, SBS/Artermis International & Serendipity Productions

Be loud, emotional and passionate - but show respect.

It won’t exactly be ‘love thy neighbour’ but Souths CEO Blake Solly expects “respect” in an emotion-charged Friday night game against 115-year rivals, Sydney Roosters in the wake of Latrell Mitchell’s racism slur last weekend.

While emotions run hot on and off the field when the two foes play, Solly, Souths coach Jason Demetriou and Roosters counterpart Trent Robinson anticipate both sets of fans will show respect for one another.

While distancing themselves from the young fan who vilified Mitchell at BlueBet Stadium, Roosters management is aware he was wearing a Roosters jumper.

Mitchell is a former Roosters star who left for Souths in 2020. Solly wants a Friday night game where rugby league dominates the headlines.

“Everyone knows the emotions that come with this rivalry but it’s a game of footy at the end of the day and we have to respect our neighbours,” Solly said.

“We also know fans of both clubs have a great track record for behaving themselves and enjoying it for what it is – a great rivalry on the field. We expect the focu

Latrell Mitchell was racially attacked on Thursday.

s of everyone on Friday night to be on the field.

“It is two great clubs, a wonderful rivalry and some of the best players in the game and we expect on-field footy gets all the interest; enjoy the game and rivalry for what it is.

“Most of the fans (from both clubs) live, go to work and their kids go to school in the same community. We’re neighbours.”

Roosters coach Trent Robinson added: “I expect it to be played in the right manner, respect all around and let’s go.”

And Souths coach Jason Demetriou told Sunday’s Big Sports Breakfast Weekend radio show: “Latrell is well liked there (at the Roosters) so I don’t perceive this being at issue at all.

“I think it will actually be a celebration of what the game has stood for this past week. The stand against it has been a real positive for the game.

“But I want to make a point. This isn’t just (about) Latrell. We have a huge Indigenous connection at our club and inside our changing rooms there are a lot of players who shouldn’t have to see or hear that happening to one of their peers.”

Solly was unconcerned the culprit was wearing a Roosters jersey.

“It’s not an issue for us – it doesn’t really matter what jersey they were wearing when someone makes a comment like that,” Solly said. “I don’t think they speak for Roosters fans and I don’t think they speak for rugby league people.

“We have had calls from fans and members of a number of clubs, including the Roosters, since the incident on Thursday night.

“It was really welcome that they all talked about how strong they thought Latrell was and also supportive of the post-match comments from Jason and the passion he showed.

“I think that reaction is more in keeping with the true fans and members of rugby league than the abuse Latrell suffered on Thursday night. I also thought Trent Robinson handled his press conference on Friday extremely well.”

Mitchell travelled to his Taree farm after the game for a pre-planned break but was back in Sydney on Sunday to attend the Tim Tszyu-Tony Harrison fight.

“In the circumstances, Latrell has again shown what he is all about and strength of character and resilience speaks for itself. It was disappointing – there is no place for it in rugby league or society in general.

“We have left it in the hands of the NRL and police and we understand they are taking appropriate action.”

MITCHELL ‘DOING OK’, REACHES OUT TO INDIGENOUS ALL-STAR MATES

Latrell Mitchell has reached out to his Indigenous All-Stars teammates to thank them for their support and tell them he is doing OK as the fallout from Thursday’s racial attack.

The players who took part in this years All-Stars including the likes of Mitchell, Nicho Hynes and Cody Walker remain in constant communication in a WhatsApp group.

The support was over-flowing for Mitchell almost instantly.

“We have a strong group of men that went away for the All-Stars,” Indigenous All Stars coach Ron Griffiths said.

“The group that were over there have rallied around him internally. We’re still connected from over there.

“There was a lot of support for him and the other South Sydney boys.

“But make no bones about it, it doesn’t just impact the guys that played, it impacts the group as a whole and all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.

“(Mitchell) did reach out. It was on the back of all the group lending their support. On the back of that he let everyone know he is OK.

“We have some big long-term plans and we want to keep building on what happened this year. Hence the communication lines are still open.”

Mitchell returned to Taree but is expected back in Sydney on Sunday and head to Tim Tszyu’s fight against Tony Harrison.

Police are continuing their investigations and are yet to interview or speak with the Rabbitohs’ players.

Mitchell interacts with fans as he walks down the tunnel.

The 15-year-old at the centre of the controversy has drawn widespread condemnation. However, Dally M player of the year Hynes has called on the game to help educate the teenager.

Hynes wants to invite him to Indigenous camp next season.

Griffiths has backed the plan but wants to make it more widespread.

“Education for our people, for the wider community is what we’ve been talking about,” Griffiths said.

“It’s a noble offer by Nicho. There is merit to it. I would like to think it could be something broader than that. It’s a great idea. If the opportunity is there we would extend some invitations to a group of non-Indigenous teenagers to spend time with us.

“The education system doesn’t give our non-Aboriginal people tools to understand our culture. Rugby league can be used to foster education.

“It’s an opportunity to educate the whole community and grow ourselves culturally.”