Two men charged over racially abusing NRL star Latrell Mitchell

NRL star Latrell Mitchell was allegedly bombarded with racially abusive messages and told to “die” in a disturbing online attack last week. Two men have been charged.

NRL star Latrell Mitchell was allegedly bombarded with racially abusive messages and told to “die” in a disturbing online attack that caused police to step in.

Two men, including one from Mitchell’s hometown of Taree, were arrested on Friday, accused of sending the 23-year-old Rabbitohs fullback derogatory and hurtful messages last weekend.

Latrell Mitchell leads the war cry during the Indigenous All Stars game in February. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

The Saturday Telegraph understands the men all­egedly sent the Instagram messages off the back of Mitchell’s on-field run-in with Wests Tigers winger David Nof­oaluma during the game last Saturday.

The offensive messages referenced Mitchell’s high shot, for which he controversially copped a four-week ban this week, that he should die, and ­included racial comments about being Indigenous.

Mitchell, who has spoken publicly about the heavy toll such racism has taken on him in the past, didn’t reply despite the stream of ­messages.

He reported the alleged racial abuse to the NRL, which referred the matter to its Integrity Unit for ­investigation.

Mitchell has spoken out against racism in the past after he received abusive messages in 2019. Picture: Toby Zerna

“The NRL was informed of this abuse over the weekend and our Integrity Unit immediately investigated and referred our file, with the support of Latrell, to NSW Police to commence a criminal investigation,” NRL chief executive officer And­rew Abdo said.

“There is no place for fans like this in our game. Any fan who racially abuses or threatens our players will be referred to police.

“I want to commend Latrell for the leadership role he is taking.

“He is a leader in the fight against racism in our community.”

The NSW Police Fixated Persons Unit arrested the ­alleged trolls, a 22-year-old man from Taree and a 25-year-old man from Lake Munmorah.

They were both charged with using a carriage service to menace, harass or offend.

Mitchell in action for the Rabbitohs. Picture: Brett Hemmings/Getty Images

“Racism is absolutely abhorrent and has no place in our game or society,” Rabbitohs CEO Blake Solly said.

Mitchell revealed last year he considered quitting football over the racist social media messages he copped.

“I thought if I give up I’m giving these people what they want — there are a lot of people who want me to fail, and I’m not the type of person to give up,” he told The Daily Telegraph.

Originally published as Two men charged over racially abusing NRL star Latrell Mitchell