Latrell Mitchell demands NRL action after Ezra Mam’s racism allegation

Latrell Mitchell has thrown his support behind Brisbane’s Ezra Mam while demanding the NRL takes action over his racism allegation.

Latrell Mitchell has made his views known. Pic: Getty/Instagram

NRL superstar Latrell Mitchell has made his thoughts known after one of the biggest days in rugby league’s recent history was marred by a racism allegation.

The NRL’s Las Vegas season opener had it all, a highscoring free-for-all in the first when the Sea Eagles downed the Rabbitohs, before a brutal 20-10 slog saw the Roosters defeat the Broncos.

It proved an epic start to both the NRL’s season and the game’s five-year plan to attract the hearts and cash of the American public.

Stream Over 50 Sports Live & On-Demand with Kayo. New to Kayo? Start Your Free Trial Today >

In front of a crowd of 40,746, the NRL’s US debut was everything the sport would have hoped for until the double header finished with an unsavoury accusation as Brisbane’s Ezra Mam put in a formal complaint of a “racial nature” to the referee.

With just over 10 minutes to go, the match threatened to erupt after the alleged racial slur.

The teams came together and there was confusion in the commentary box before the Broncos’ Ezra Mam made a formal complaint aimed at the Roosters’ Spencer Leniu.

Spencer Leniu gets placed on report.

“Ezra’s made a formal complaint that’s racial in nature, OK, against Spencer,” referee Adam Gee told the opposing captains in front of Mam.

“I haven’t heard it, the incident goes on report, will be dealt with after.”

It left the commentators stunned.

“That is a sensation,” Andrew Voss said in commentary.

“A complaint of a racial nature lodged by Ezra Mam against Spencer Leniu. Obviously at the moment we can tell you no more about it.

“It is something for post-match. Flashpoint in Vegas.”

In audio from the match, Mam is heard telling referee Gee “he called me a monkey” - an accusation that was supported by another Broncos player.

When Gee approached Leniu, he said: “Spencer, we’ve got a spectacle here, we’ve got to keep the game going.”

Leniu replied with a face of incredulity but what he said was inaudible even through the referee’s microphone.

Spencer Leniu was puzzled by the accusation.

Latrell Mitchell is a powerful voice for Indigenous athletes. Pic: NRL Photos

The NRL has confirmed it is currently investigating the incident with a spokesman telling News Corp: “the NRL is aware of an on-field matter and is reviewing the incident.”

After the match, Rabbitohs superstar Latrell Mitchell took to Instagram to air his feelings about the incident in a response that is sure to ramp up the pressure on the NRL.

“I stand with you Bala,” Mitchell wrote in a story that included a photo of Mam and his Instagram handle.

“NRL better deal with this s**t.”

In a separate post to his Instagram stories, the 26-year-old shared a news story of the incident from The Daily Telegraph, with the word ‘typical’ written below the headline.

Broncos fullback Reece Walsh posted the same image of Mam with the caption: “Got you always my brother,” along with fist bump and heart emojis.

Rabbitoh Latrell Mitchell's Instagram story.

Latrell also shared this post on Instagram with the word ‘typical’. Pic: Instagram

Asked about the incident after the game, Leniu told Triple M the incident was “nothing”.

“It’s all just fun and games on the field. That’s it,” he added.

Asked if he was worried about it, he added: “Not worried at all.”

Spencer Leniu comments on Ezra Mam's allegations pic.twitter.com/iE2pkdzcdO

— Triple M NRL (@TripleM_NRL) March 3, 2024

Leniu’s ‘fun and games’ comment went down like a lead balloon among some NRL stars with Souths playmaker Cody Walker writing on Instagram in response: “fun and games they reckon gammin (joker).”

Brisbane star Kotoni Staggs similarly wrote: “fun and games they say.”

Speaking after the game when confirmed the Broncos were pressing forward with the complaint, NRL legend Johnathan Thurston appeared stunned.

Kotoni Staggs responds to Spencer Leniu's post-match reaction to allegations he used a racial slur against Ezra Mam.

Cody Walker responds to Spencer Leniu's post-match reaction to allegations he used a racial slur against Ezra Mam.

“A little bit emotional about it that in this day and age, one of our players would allegedly be saying what he said,” Thurston said. “After coming here, 40,000 people, two massive, cracking games and now we’re dealing with this — we didn’t need it after round one.”

Brad Fittler agreed: “Absolutely. Didn’t need it. Ridiculous. They’re going to go through the process. A bad way to finish such a great night’s footy.”

Thurston said he was told Mam was in tears.

In his press conference, Broncos coach Kevin Walters said that Mam was “pretty upset” but that Brisbane would allow the NRL process to police and adjudicate.

Johnathan Thurston was emotional upon hearing the allegation. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Walters said they were support their player and that Mam was “adamant” the incident had occurred.

Broncos captain Adam Reynolds said he didn’t hear the alleged racial comment but would be doing everything he can to support his halves partner.

“We certainly don’t stand for racism and we’ll support Ezra and get around him and leave it in the NRL’s hands,” Reynolds said.

“It’s certainly never nice to hear any racism or slur, not in this day and age you’d think it’s still out there. It’s a bit of a shock.”

Roosters coach Trent Robinson had “no opinion” over the situation.

He added just because Mam believed he had heard a slur doesn’t mean it was what was said.

“It’ll go through the formal process, as it should,” Robinson said.

“If he (Mam) is adamant, that doesn’t mean it’s right.

“It will have to go through the formal process.”

Originally published as Latrell Mitchell demands NRL action after Ezra Mam’s racism allegation