NRL 2024: Latrell Mitchell handed breach notice over ‘white substance’ scandal

Rabbitohs star Latrell Mitchell will have to front the South Sydney board after he was hit with a breach notice by the NRL, after a leaked white substance photo scandal.

South Sydney star Latrell Mitchell will have to front representatives of the club’s high-profile owners after the NRL issued him with a breach notice on Thursday.

Mitchell has five days to respond to allegations he has brought the game into disrepute after being swept up in a leaked photo scandal which appears to show the star fullback leaning over a table with a white substance.

There is no suggestion it is an illicit drug.

Mitchell could face a games suspension and or a fine from the NRL.

There’s also the prospect of a club-imposed sanction pending the outcome of Mitchell facing the South Sydney board which includes representatives of owners Mike Cannon-Brookes, James Packer and Russell Crowe.

Latrell Mitchell has been handed a breach notice by the NRL. Picture: Getty Images

Mitchell earlier this year escaped a sanction despite a meeting with NRL CEO Andrew Abdo over an expletive-laden radio interview in Round 2.

The photo is believed to have been taken in Dubbo last weekend, where the injured Mitchell was conducting a women’s football skill clinic.

The NRL Integrity Unit have spent the past week investigating the incident in conjunction with the South Sydney club, and interviewed Mitchell on Tuesday.

“The National Rugby League today issued South Sydney Rabbitohs player Latrell Mitchell with a Breach Notice alleging a breach of the NRL Code of Conduct following an NRL Integrity Unit investigation,’’ an NRL statement said on Thursday.

“The particulars of the breach notice are that Mitchell featured in imagery, which emerged publicly on 12 August 2024, which depicted him acting in a manner which has brought the game into disrepute.

A supplied image that alleges to show NRL Star Latrell Mitchell with a white substance. Picture: Supplied

Mitchell has five business days to respond to the breach notice.

The 27-year-old has endured a suspension and injury-plagued 2024 season on the field, appearing in just 11 games for the Bunnies this year.

After helping the NRL kickstart the season in the historic double header in Las Vegas, Mitchell leapt to the defence of Brisbane’s Ezra Mam in the wake of the Spencer Leniu racism storm. As a result, he became involved in a very public slanging match with fellow Indigenous ambassador Anthony Mundine, who claimed the incident didn’t amount to racism.

Triple M was forced to pull a live interview with Mitchell after he swore five times in 30 seconds in the wake of Souths’ 28-18 loss to Brisbane, in a game where he scored his 100th career try.

In April, Mitchell and teammate Cody Walker flew to Moree with NSW Premier Chris Minns to help launch a program aimed at providing at-risk teenagers with mentorships.

His season took a turn for the worse in Round 5 when he was suspended for three weeks for an elbow to the head of New Zealand halfback Shaun Johnson.

While Mitchell was sidelined, Souths sacked coach Jason Demetriou as the club’s season fell apart.

However, Mitchell returned to stellar form and guided the Rabbitohs to three straight wins, earning a State of Origin recall as he helped NSW win game two.

But, in a further twist, Mitchell suffered a foot injury in round 18 and is not expected to play again this season.

Mitchell put pen to paper on a five-year deal with the Rabbitohs back in 2022, locking him in with the club until the end of the 2027 season.

Mundine has offered to reach out to Mitchell in the wake of the drama.

“It’s unfortunate that there are these allegations,” Mundine said.

“If he needs any help, I’m here for him. I wish nothing but love for my brother.”