NRL investigating racial abuse of Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker

The NRL has opened an investigation into allegations Latrell Mitchell was racially abused during the Rabbitohs’ loss to the Dragons.

Latrell Mitchell of the Rabbitohs. Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images.

The NRL is investigating allegations Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker were racially abused during South Sydney’s loss to the Dragons.

As first reported by News Corp, the league has begun looking into claims the Rabbitohs pair were abused by a spectator at the ground.

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“The NRL integrity unit is aware of the allegations. The NRL takes these allegations seriously and is looking into them as a matter of priority,” an NRL spokesperson said.

According to reports, the NRL was made aware of the incident on Sunday afternoon.

The SMH reported it was another spectator at the ground that contacted security staff during the game at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium and made a complaint.

The witness has reportedly told the NRL the man who made the comments left the ground after being spoken to be a security official.

News Corp reports Mitchell was allegedly called a “b…k bastard”.

Walker was allegedly called a “dog”.

South Sydney has also confirmed the club is aware of the allegations.

“South Sydney Rabbitohs are aware of an allegation of racial vilification towards players Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker which is alleged to have occurred during the Rabbitohs vs Dragons match at Kogarah’s Jubilee Stadium on Saturday night,” the Rabbitohs said in a statement.

Cody Walker and Latrell Mitchell of the Rabbitohs. Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images.

“The Rabbitohs were informed of the incident by a member of the public as well as the NRL. The NRL has confirmed the NRL Integrity Unit is investigating the matter.

“The Rabbitohs stand in condemnation of any form of racism in our sport, and society in general, and will support the NRL’s investigation in any way possible.”

The Dragons also released a statement to say the club is working with the NRL and stadium officials to understand what happened.

“Racial discrimination has no place in our sport or in our society,” the club said.

“The Dragons stand united with the NRL and with the Rabbitohs in condemning racism in all its forms.”

It comes just a year after Mitchell was abused by a young spectator at a game in Penrith that resulted in a ban from attending future NRL matches until he apologised and took steps to address his behaviour.

The Rabbitohs’ season slipped further into crisis during the defeat on Saturday, with Mitchell’s return from suspension not enough to turn the club’s season around.

The positive for Souths is they play the Cowboys, Parramatta and the Titans in the next month which are winnable games.

Despite two tries against the Dragons, questions about Mitchell’s effectiveness at fullback remain.

Latrell Mitchell of the Rabbitohs. NRL PHOTOS

Jack Bird’s try in the 26th minute was evident of that.

As the Dragons spread the ball wide, Mitchell was just jogging across at fullback.

Had he been rushing across like Dylan Edwards does all the time, he would’ve had a great chance to stop the try.

In the 59th minute Mitchell didn’t get across again in time to stop second rower Jaydn Su’A diving on a ball to score off a grubber kick.

This has been happening for years. Go back and watch the highlights of the 2022 preliminary final.

It took 22 minutes for Mitchell to inject himself into the game and he did that when scoring off a Cody Walker grubber in behind the line.

He scored another off a Dragons mistake when the game was over.

Originally published as NRL investigating racial abuse of Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker