By Dan Walsh
Brad Fittler says the NRL should sanction rival players – led by Rabbitohs star Latrell Mitchell – who have made public comments on Spencer Leniu’s upcoming judiciary hearing.
But South Sydney have backed Mitchell to continue speaking out on social justice matters following his comments on Leniu’s prospective ban, support for Brisbane’s Ezra Mam and war of words with Anthony Mundine.
Leniu has pleaded guilty to calling Mam a “monkey” in last week’s Las Vegas season-opener and issued a public apology ahead of Monday’s judiciary hearing, where the Roosters enforcer will be sentenced.
Reports that a Broncos player allegedly made a derogatory comment towards Leniu prior to his slur against Mam were on Sunday denied by officials at Red Hill.
Brisbane’s Payne Haas and Billy Walters, as well as Mam, have already provided written statements to NRL judiciary chairman Geoff Bellew, detailing the nature of Leniu’s slur at Allegiant Stadium.
Fittler, meanwhile, spoke to the concerns raised privately with the NRL by members of Leniu’s camp on Nine’s The Sunday Footy Show, taking issue with public comments by players that could prejudice the front-rower’s chances of a fair hearing.
Roosters recruit Spencer Leniu will front the NRL judiciary on Monday night.Credit: Getty
Mitchell has made several comments on the matter on social media, including a post that suggested an 8-12 week ban by replying “and then some”, while fellow Indigenous leader Nicho Hynes also urged the NRL to “draw a line in the sand” regarding sanctions for racial vilification.
Fittler, who coached both players at Origin level and has been a strong proponent of Indigenous issues in the game, believes the commentary is out of line.
“Why doesn’t everyone ring Ezra? Why does everything have to be done on social media?” Fittler said.
“The NRL has rules where you can’t come out and make comments about situations that are going to judiciary. So they should be in trouble. If you want to support Ezra, ring him up. Go and see him. That’s how you support someone.”
The NRL has not made any official approach to players or their clubs that have commented on the Leniu saga, and no sanctions for doing so are planned.
Section 31 of the NRL’s code of conduct states that “no club or person bound by this code shall comment adversely on, or with respect to… any matter which has been, is, or is likely to be, the subject of a proceeding before the ARLC, the NRL Judiciary, the Match Review Committee.”
Former Titans skipper Kevin Proctor and then-Sharks playmaker Shaun Johnson were issued formal warnings by the NRL in late 2020 for a series of interviews and social media posts ahead of Proctor being found guilty of biting his New Zealand Test teammate.
Mitchell has been celebrated throughout his career for speaking out on racism and engaged in a social media slanging match with Mundine on Friday after taking issue with the former boxer’s claim that Leniu’s remark to Mam was “not racism”.
Mundine returned by claiming that Mitchell has been “underperforming far too long” and should “earn the right to talk”.
Rabbitohs teammate Keaon Koloamatangi said Mitchell had already done so, speaking after training at South Sydney’s Maroubra base.
“[Mitchell] will say something if something doesn’t feel right and we all back him,” Koloamatangi said.
“Everything that he says, he doesn’t say something for no reason ... because he has that public figure and authority, people listen to him and he has an effect on people in the community.
“He’s a great role model for young kids, especially his people and Indigenous people and he’ll continue to be that leader going forward.”
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