NRL: Two players are headed for conciliation after a league investigation could find no evidence of an alleged racial slur
An NRL investigation has concluded without any proof of racial abuse in last Friday night’s game between the Gold Coast Titans and Newcastle Knights and the two players involved are headed for a conciliation process.
NRL
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Tyrone Peachey’s allegations that he was racially abused by Newcastle forward Mitch Barnett will be finalised in a meeting between the pair after the NRL’s investigation failed to determine appropriate evidence.
The decision leaves Barnett free to take his place in the first week of the finals.
Following the incident during Friday’s Knights versus Titans clash on the Gold Coast, the NRL Integrity Unit interviewed or received statements from the players involved in the matter.
They also spoke to players from both teams in the vicinity of the incident, match officials, club officials, and reviewed footage and audio from the broadcast and internal comms records.
But the NRL’s investigation, conducted under the Game’s Anti-Vilification Code, couldn’t determine the matter and the facts remain contested by each player.
In accordance with the provisions of the code, both players involved will now be referred to a conciliation process.
Newcastle forward Mitchell Barnett has faced NRL Integrity Unit investigators over allegations he racially abused Gold Coast's Tyrone Peachey https://t.co/i4wHd34xGY pic.twitter.com/P2w9ALytoS
— Telegraph Sport (@telegraph_sport) September 27, 2020
NRL Chief Executive Andrew Abdo said the game would closely monitor the outcome of conciliation.
“Rugby league is an inclusive game and we take our duty of care to all of our players very seriously,” Abdo said.
“It is important that every player feels supported when they make a complaint, and we want to see our players take a leadership role in speaking out.
“It is also important that where there is a dispute as to what has been said, the game has a process designed to bring the parties together to address those matters in an appropriate way.
“My priority right now is monitoring the welfare of both players. I’m hopeful a conciliation meeting will find a resolution that benefits both players.”
