Latrell Mitchell hit with official breach notice by South Sydney Rabbitohs over white substance scandal as NRL prepare to finalise sanctions

South Sydney have issued Latrell Mitchell with a formal breach notice over the white substance scandal as NRL prepares to finalise sanctions for Rabbitohs superstar.

South Sydney have formally drawn a line in the sand with Latrell Mitchell after issuing their best-paid and highest-profile player with a show cause notice outlining potential club sanctions over the white substance scandal and calling for him to front the board to explain his actions.

Mitchell, who had until close of business on Thursday to respond to a breach notice from the NRL, is expected to address Rabbitohs officials next week – five days notice are required under the terms of his contract – as the club looks to draw the curtain on the latest saga involving their biggest star.

Souths have the capacity to either terminate Mitchell’s deal, suspend him for as many as 18 rounds or issue him with a fine of up to 25 per cent of his contract.

It is understood while club officials are disappointed with the latest incident, Mitchell will be given the opportunity to see out his deal, which has another three years remaining.

The club is also believed to be reluctant to suspend Mitchell for any extended period given that would also have the effect of punishing the club as well as his teammates, and hinder incoming coach Wayne Bennett’s hopes of hitting the ground running when he joins the Rabbitohs next season.

However, a large fine is in order, coming on top of a financial penalty already issued by the NRL.

Latrell Mitchell is set to be hit with a big fine from Souths on top of his penalty already imposed by the NRL. Picture: NRL Photos

While Souths have the ability to fine Mitchell as much as $250,000 – his contract is believed to be worth upwards of $1 million a season – it is understood any financial penalty fine will be significantly less than that.

However, the mere fact that the club has formally weighed in with penalties of their own is an indication of their frustration with Mitchell, who is once again under fire after being photographed standing over a white substance while recently in Dubbo for a women’s coaching clinic.

Their frustrations will be shared directly with Mitchell when he fronts the club’s board – which includes representatives of their high-powered ownership group Russell Crowe, James Packer and Mike Cannon-Brookes – at some point over the next fortnight.

Before then, Mitchell is expected to receive confirmation of his sanctions from the NRL. He had until late on Thursday to formally respond to a breach notice that was issued to him late last week outlining a likely one-match ban and a fine from head office.

Latrell Mitchell pictured leaving his Sydney home. Picture: Jonathan Ng

The NRL is expected to push for the ban to be served at the start of next season given Mitchell is sidelined for the remainder of this year with injury.

As revealed in this masthead earlier this week, that stance will be rejected by Souths, who have the backing of the players union.

Rugby League Players Association boss Clint Newton has publicly stated his belief that – under the NRL Rules – any sanction should be served immediately even though Mitchell has already been ruled out for the season by interim coach Ben Hornby.

Souths will also point out that former Penrith back Taylan May was allowed to serve a two-match ban for an off-field incident while injured, having had the suspension postponed to allow him to play finals football.

The NRL ruled May would serve his ban at the start of the following season but he then suffered a knee injury, sidelining him for the year. He served his ban while on the sidelines.

Mitchell managed 11 games this season before he was sidelined with a Lisfranc injury in his foot.