Latrell Mitchell punishment: South Sydney Rabbitohs impose $100,000 fine, NRL $20K and a suspension

The battle to decide when Latrell Mitchell will serve a one-match suspension has taken a turn, with the NRL calling for evidence he is fit and ready for selection before he can return.

South Sydney star Latrell Mitchell. Picture: Getty Images

South Sydney’s medical staff are set to have a decisive say on when Latrell Mitchell serves a one-match ban over the white substance scandal after the NRL insisted they would need clear evidence that he was fit and available for selection to play in the final round.

The Rabbitohs on Thursday confirmed Mitchell had been fined $100,000 – $80,000 of which was suspended – after he was photographed in a hotel room in Dubbo standing over a white substance a fortnight ago.

The NRL had earlier indicated they were ready to fine Mitchell $20,000 and suspend him for one game, those sanctions also confirmed on Thursday morning. It means Mitchell will be $40,000 lighter in the pocket and with the financial sanctions confirmed, interest has turned to when the Rabbitohs No.1 will serve his one-game ban.

Souths insist it should come into immediate effect and they have the backing of the players union, who believe that under the NRL Rules he should serve any ban immediately even though he is currently sidelined with a Lisfranc injury in his foot.

The NRL say they have discretion to decide when any ban should be served and it is understood the breach notice specifically states that the suspension will only be satisfied when Mitchell is able to return from injury and the club doctor confirms that he is “fit and available for selection”.

Latrell Mitchell is all smiles when backstage at the Nikita Tszyu v Koen Mazoudier fight on Wednesday night. Picture: Brendan Bradford

It now appears that may be as soon as next week, when Souths are due to meet arch rivals the Sydney Roosters in the final round.

Rabbitohs interim coach Ben Hornby indicated recently that Mitchell was expected to miss the remainder of the season – he injured his foot in July and has been undergoing rehabilitation ever since.

However, Mitchell did some light duties at training on Thursday, prompting Hornby to suggest that he was now back in contention for selection to play against the Roosters.

That has opened the door for Mitchell to serve his one-match ban in that game.

“He is pretty good,” Hornby said.

“Obviously (he’s) still got a bit of a process there to go through. So he is just trying to tick the boxes. I mean there is an outside chance he could play next week if we needed him.

“He needs to show he is in good enough condition to play a game, that is the main thing. The first thing is to get him out there running.”

Asked how he believed the club had handled the Mitchell saga, Hornby said: “We are doing the best we can – that is what we are doing.

“Everyone is going to have an opinion. For us, we do it our way. Latrell is a big headline. I have no dramas with what has happened there.”

The NRL and club sanctions drew the curtain on a torrid time for Mitchell, who was forced to front Rabbitohs powerbrokers to explain his actions.

The board were satisfied that Mitchell showed genuine remorse but that didn’t stop the club slugging their biggest star with a six-figure sanction, albeit with the vast majority suspended.

It is understood that it was made clear to Mitchell in the meeting with the board that he was running out of chances, highlighting the club’s frustration with their highest-profile player.

Mitchell has only made 11 appearances in first grade this season, a disappointing return given the club’s multimillion dollar investment in his future.

“This has been a very challenging time for everyone at South Sydney, including staff and management, coaches, players, members, supporters, and Latrell himself,” Souths chief executive Blake Solly said.

“Most importantly, it has been very difficult for his family. This is not lost on Latrell. He has shown great remorse and given us a solid commitment to improve himself, make better decisions, and to work towards becoming the best dad he can be to his children, the best partner he can be to Brielle, and the player he can be for the Rabbitohs.

“He has taken full responsibility for his decisions and his actions. I, along with the board and management, are confident that this will be a turning point for Latrell and that he will make better decisions in the future.

“We are committed to helping him do that.”

Originally published as Latrell Mitchell punishment: South Sydney Rabbitohs impose $100,000 fine, NRL $20K and a suspension