NRL 2020: Mitch Barnett denies he racially vilified Tyrone Peachey
Knights forward Mitch Barnett has spoken for the first time since he was accused of racially vilifying Gold Coast star Tyrone Peachey, declaring he knows “word for word” what he said.
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A defiant Mitch Barnett has declared he is not a racist with the Newcastle back-rower adamant he did not racially vilify Gold Coast Titans player Tyrone Peachey.
Barnett was accused of calling Peachey a “black c---” on Friday night. But in breaking his silence since being labelled a racist Barnett has no doubts what he called Peachey.
“I swore at him,” Barnett said. “I used a couple of swear words — an F and a C but I never said anything racist.
“I can’t tell you what he has misinterpreted. People that know me believe me. That’s all that matters for me. At the end of the day I know I didn’t say those things. I know in my heart that I’m innocent.
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“I want people to hear my side of the story. I know word for word what I said. It wasn’t anything racial. I just have to move on and leave this behind me.
“It’s a shame there was no audio because it would’ve cleared me of any wrong doing.”
The matter was referred to the integrity unit on Saturday with both players interviewed.
The integrity unit was unable to determine an outcome, with the pair locked in conciliation on Wednesday. Barnett said they “agreed to disagree” on what was said but was unsure if Peachey believed Barnett’s version of events.
“I don’t know Tyrone well enough if he believes me or not,” Barnett said. “It was a frank and open conversation. We shared our versions of events and just a little bit about each other’s backgrounds.
“That’s where we left it. I reckon I can change people’s perception with my actions from now on. “That’s what I’m going to do. It won’t define me. It’s been a horrible situation for everyone.
“I didn’t say it at the end of the day. I know what I said. His story is different. I support his decision in coming out (and speaking out against racism). He has got to come out and speak but I know I didn’t say it.”
Barnett said he was “shocked” when he became aware of the accusation only after the Knights landed in Newcastle on Friday following their 36-6 loss to the Titans. He spoke with Peachey last weekend but was unable to clear the air.
“It’s been extremely tough for everyone involved,” Barnett said. “Not just myself but my family. “Everyone has been receiving abuse especially on social media. It’s been horrible.
“It’s such a sensitive subject. There are no winners.”
While Peachey publicly spoke about the incident, Barnett kept his silence as per NRL’s protocols. He described that as “extremely hard”. While his reputation was taking a battering he did not fear being rubbed out of his first finals game because Barnett was sure he did not say what was alleged. Now he is trying to put his focus back on the field ahead of Newcastle’s do or die match against South Sydney on Sunday.
“It’s not the ideal start to the week but I will just use this as motivation heading into the weekend,” Barnett said.
PEACHEY: I KNOW WHAT I HEARD
Gold Coast Titans star Tyrone Peachey admits he is “disappointed” by the NRL’s investigation into allegations he was labelled a “black c---” by Newcastle forward Mitchell Barnett.
The NRL announced on Tuesday it had failed “to determine the matter and the facts remain contested by each player”, referring the players to a conciliation process.
Barnett denied the allegations from last Friday’s game at Cbus Super Stadium and the NRL could not find evidence to support Peachey’s claims.
Barnett will be free to play in Sunday’s elimination final against South Sydney at ANZ Stadium.
But Peachey doubled down on his allegation, insisting Barnett made the racial slur and he had been let down by the NRL’s investigation.
“The NRL have come to the conclusion no action can be taken against Barnett due to lack of evidence and it’s my word against his,” Peachey said in a social media statement.
“Let me reiterate, I know exactly what I heard and stand by my statement. I’m disappointed due to this outcome and how it has portrayed me.
“I was never after anyone’s sympathy or pity. I was just trying to stand for what I believe in and to educate people that backhanded racial remarks should not be tolerated in today’s society.”
The NRL’s Integrity Unit interviewed players and officials but could not find audio of the alleged incident, prompting the league to finalise the matter without an outcome.
“Rugby league is an inclusive game and we take our duty of care to all of our players very seriously,” said NRL CEO Andrew Abdo.
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
“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.”
Barnett has not commented publicly on the allegations, but Peachey made his position clear after the game.
“In regards to the incident in last Friday night’s game between Barnett and myself,” Peachey said.
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“I am a proud Wiradjuri man and his comments are not acceptable and I need to be a role model to young indigenous kids and for my two daughters and make sure they know it’s not ok to let people say those remarks.
“I know exactly what I heard and that’s why I reacted the way I did. It can be put down to ignorance, heat of the competition or lack of education. Either way, I won’t stand for it.
“Barnett could have called me anything else and it wouldn’t have bothered me, but for him to say what he did, I want him and everyone else to know that those things are not ok to say.
“I’m making a statement in hope to educate and to make sure others know it’s not ok and to call out racism.”