NRL Integrity Unit to investigate alleged racial abuse aimed at Greg Inglis during Panthers clash
SOUTH Sydney superstar Greg Inglis was allegedly abused by a racist fan as he staggered off Panthers Stadium with concussion on Saturday night.
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SOUTH Sydney superstar Greg Inglis was allegedly called a “black dog” by a racist fan as he staggered off Panthers Stadium with concussion on Saturday night.
The Daily Telegraph also understands the same person may have racially abused Penrith star Tyrone Peachey during the Panthers’ 18-14 win over the Rabbitohs.
Penrith on Sunday issued Inglis an immediate public apology as general manager of football Phil Gould and Panthers group CEO Brian Fletcher work closely with the NRL and Souths to identify the offender.
Both clubs will call for the fan to be banned for life from NRL games.
Close friends said Inglis was “distressed and understandably upset”.
Inglis told Rabbitohs general manager of football Shane Richardson of the abuse before the controversial matter was forwarded directly to the NRL integrity unit, which launched an investigation.
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Inglis was being assisted from the field for a head injury assessment early in the second half when the incident occurred.
Sections of the crowd booed the Queensland and Australian champion while he was on the ground receiving treatment and then as he walked off. He did not return to the field and was still suffering headaches on Sunday morning.
NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg has been made aware of the complaint.
“Greg said he doesn’t mind getting booed when he leaves the field, that’s part of footy. But to be racially abused is totally unacceptable,” Inglis’s manager Allan Gainey said.
“He was asked whether he wanted to lodge a formal complaint and he had no hesitation in doing so. It is abhorrent behaviour. Greg said he heard exactly what was said.
“The NRL will investigate and hopefully find the culprit. The integrity unit are right across it.”
There were further suggestions that Peachey was jeered and abused because of his decision to quit Penrith after this season to join the Gold Coast Titans.
Souths fans took to social media on Sunday claiming they too were abused during the match and their calls for assistance were ignored.
“We are working with the NRL and Panthers to try and find out who abused Greg,” Souths CEO Blake Solly said.
Racism is not tolerated in our game. We all come from different cultures and that’s what makes our game great. I’m deeply saddened by the alleged incident at last nights game & I’m confident the club will do everything it can to investigate the alleged perpetrator.
— Josh Mansour (@Josh_Mansour) March 18, 2018
“Obviously this kind of conduct is unacceptable in rugby league.
“We will work to try and address it. Greg is understandably upset and we will support him through this. Penrith have been excellent in trying to find out who abused Greg.”
Penrith officials have been thoroughly searching CCTV in the hope of finding the offender. They know the exact minute Inglis left the field and approximately where he was seated.
“Greg Inglis complained about being racially abused by somebody in the crowd,” Fletcher said.
“We don’t tolerate that. We will work with the NRL to catch the perpetrator.
“The ban would come through the NRL but you’d have to think in these modern days that the ban would be very lengthy, for sure.
“He wouldn’t only be barred from one ground but all grounds. We will work closely with the NRL to find the instigator and he will be dealt with accordingly.”
The Panthers issued a statement apologising to Inglis.
“Panthers has been made aware of an allegation of racial abuse directed at South Sydney player Greg Inglis by a member of the crowd at Panthers Stadium (on Saturday),” it read.
“I wish to make it clear our club does not tolerate this kind of behaviour in any form. We will work with the NRL to investigate the matter and any perpetrators will be swiftly dealt with.
“Our club apologises unreservedly to Greg Inglis for the upset caused by the alleged incident.”
Exactly what I was talking about last week. When a player is injured show some decency. We put our bodies on the line as a job yes but it’s also for your enjoyment and we’re all human. GI should never be booed. EVER. https://t.co/dAwgVBvASI
— Josh Dugan (@Josh_Dugan) 17 March 2018
Cronulla and NSW star Josh Dugan took to Twitter to condemn the jeering aimed at Inglis.
Dugan posted: “Exactly what I was talking about last week. When a player is injured show some decency.
“We put our bodies on the line as a job, yes, but it’s also for your enjoyment and we’re all human. ‘GI’ should never be booed. EVER.”
Inglis will have to pass a mandatory concussion test this week to play against Manly on Saturday at ANZ Stadium.