Titans star Tyrone Peachey allegedly targeted in racial slur on field against the Knights
The NRL are launching an investigation into a racist slur directed towards Gold Coast Titans star Tyrone Peachey on Friday night.
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Fox League microphones have reportedly picked up an incident of racial abuse in the Gold Coast Titans‘ 36-6 win over the Newcastle Knights on Friday night.
It was a grim night for the Knights, who gave up a home elimination semi-final to the South Sydney Rabbitohs next week with their drubbing at the hands of the Titans.
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But the allegations of a racial slur used against the Titans’ Tyrone Peachey could add an uglier stain to the match.
“It is hugely disappointing to report an alleged racial slur in that game in which Tyrone Peachey was the victim,” Fox League host Jess Yates said.
Although not initially alerted to the fact, Fox League cameras and microphones picked up the reporting of the incident after Peachey lashed out at one of the Knights players in a tackle.
Walking back for his side to kick a goal, Peachey issued the allegation to the referee in charge, Chris Sutton.
Fox League audio heard Peachey approach the referee and say, “that backrower just called me a black c***”.
Sutton didn’t hear the first time and Peachey repeated himself.
“Tyrone, come here for us mate,” Sutton said.
When Peachey made it over to the referee, Sutton said: “If you want to make a complaint, tell us who it is and we‘ll deal with it now.
“Tyrone, I need you to tell me if you want to go on with it or not. Do you want to deal with it or not mate? OK we can‘t go on with it any further then.”
Despite Peachey ultimately declining to take it any further, the NRL are set to launch an investigation into the incident with the Titans also pursuing the matter.
Fox host Yates was firm in admonishing the behaviour.
“It was fairly obvious to hear what was allegedly said to him,” she continued. “It’s highly disappointing to think that still exists in our game.
“There is absolutely no room for any racial slur or racial abuse, and if that is exactly what happened tonight hopefully there will be an apology from that player from the opposition who levelled that at Tyrone Peachey.”
As of yet, neither team nor the NRL have commented on the incident.
Unfortunately it’s not the only act of racial abuse this season.
Early in the round 14 clash between the Panthers and the Warriors, Penrith back Brent Naden was targeted by a reported group of eight fans who were kicked out of the match.
There were allegedly two incidents in the same match from the same group, who moved from one end of the grandstand to the other.
Naden is a proud Wiradjuri man from Wellington in Central West NSW and even helped create the Panthers’ 2020 Indigenous jersey.
He also played at the same junior club as Peachey.
Earlier this week, Naden reportedly accepted an apology from one of the men ejected from the stadium, speaking with the man over the phone.
Naden told The Sydney Morning Herald on Monday that seeing Indigenous players stand up for themselves gave him the strength to do it.
“What made it easier for me to speak up was having watched guys like Greg Inglis, Adam Goodes and Latrell Mitchell stand up to it in the past,” Naden said.
“It makes you feel good about yourself and makes you proud to be an Indigenous man.
“Hopefully people seeing me stand up for myself will make it easier for the next generation and give other people the confidence, people at the club and young kids and cousins.”
Originally published as Titans star Tyrone Peachey allegedly targeted in racial slur on field against the Knights