Spencer Leniu pleads guilty to contrary conduct charge, admits to Ezra Mam slur

Latrell Mitchell has responded the Spencer Leniu’s early guilty plea with an emotional post, as the Roosters prop awaits his fate at the hands of the NRL judiciary.

Latrell Mitchell has responded to Spencer Leniu’s early guilty plea with an emotional Instagram post.

Mitchell has been very public with his opinions on the incident, demanding the NRL come down hard on Leniu for his comments.

Mitchell posed with an Aboriginal flag shirt and the hashtag #IstandwithEzra in his latest post.

“Standing up for what you believe in is the hardest thing you could ever do, that’s why not everyone can do it. You will either be hated or loved for doing it,” Mitchell said via Instagram.

“I applaud anyone (non indigenous also) for calling racism out.

“This is just something now we have to stay prepared to deal with which is the saddest part. I love my culture it is something that should be shared.”

Sydney Roosters prop Spencer Leniu will learn his fate at the NRL judiciary on Monday night after admitting to the racial slur directed at Ezra Mam.

The fast-tracked hearing comes after receiving a request from the Roosters to expedite the process.

Early reports suggest Leniu’s punishment will be around the six week mark.

Leniu formally entered a guilty plea and apologised to Ezra Mam for his comments, after being accused of calling Ezra Mam a “monkey” during the Roosters win over the Broncos last weekend.

Mam was overcome with emotion after the match with the pair also clashing post-game at the team’s hotel.

“I want to apologise to Ezra and his family for using the word I did and I am sincerely sorry to cause him such distress,” Leniu said. “I’ve put my hand up and want to take ownership of this. I said the word but I didn’t mean it in a racist way. Anyone who knows me knows that’s not who I am.”

It is understood the NRL are considering having the judiciary hearing on Monday, 24 hours before the planned hearing on Tuesday night.

Spencer Leniu. Picture: Rohan Kelly

Ezra Mam. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

There was some suggestion that the hearing could even happen this weekend, but it is likely that the NRL’s Moore Park headquarters will play host on Monday.

The Roosters have appointed James McLeod to lead the case for Leniu. McLeod has overseen judiciary appearances for the Roosters in the past including handled Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Latrell Mitchell’s respective hearings.

Bulldogs supremo Phil Gould reacted quickly to the Roosters statement regarding Leniu’s guilty plea, posting from X (formerly known Twitter): “There you go (clapping emojis) … finally the adults have taken control of the conversation”.

Roosters chief executive Joe Kelly mirrored Leniu’s apology to Mam.

“Spencer has been completely open and honest throughout this process, and we will continue to support him,” Kelly said. “We extend our deepest apologies to Ezra, his family and the wider Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and offer our support to all parties during this time.

“We respect the Judiciary process. Accordingly, the club will not be making any further comment prior to the hearing.”

The apologies come after a week of explosive incidents involving Leniu, Mam and both clubs.

Mam received a flood of support from fellow Indigenous players, including Latrell Mitchell and Nicho Hynes, in the game, sparking concerns Leniu would receive an unfair hearing should it have gone to the judiciary.

However, the Rugby League Players Association said they were confident the NRL and judiciary would give Leniu fair and due process when handing down the sanction.

“The RLPA will always take allegations of this nature seriously,” a statement said.

“The matter was placed on report and Spencer has been officially charged, and we are confident the NRL, and judiciary will prioritise a fair and due process in investigating and determining the matter.

“At this point it is crucial the investigation is allowed to be undertaken confidentially and with respect to procedural fairness and natural justice.

“We are working with all parties to ensure that both players are provided with the appropriate support during this process.”