‘The player involved has been charged’: Spencer Leniu referred directly to the NRL judiciary for alleged racial slur

Spencer Leniu has been referred directly to the NRL judiciary for an alleged racial slur towards Ezra Mam with more explosive details coming to light.

Roosters recruit Spencer Leniu has been referred directly to the NRL judiciary for allegedly calling Broncos star Ezra Mam a “monkey”. Picture: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo says “natural justice” will now take its course after confirming Roosters recruit Spencer Leniu has been referred directly to the judiciary for allegedly calling Broncos five-eighth Ezra Mam a “monkey” during Sunday’s game in Las Vegas.

Leniu is set to be hit with a contrary conduct charge for the alleged slur made during the historic clash at Allegiant Stadium, with no date set for the hearing given the Roosters are still overseas.

Mam made an official complaint to referee Adam Gee who put the incident on report late in the second half, with Abdo and the NRL checking in on the five-eighth who was distraught in the sheds after the match.

Andrew Abdo (right) has confirmed that Spencer Leniu will have to front the NRL judiciary. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty Images

“The player involved has been charged. He’s been referred directly to the judiciary so there’ll be a hearing. That process will unfold,” Abdo told Fox Sports News.

“I won’t say anything more about the matter because we need to respect that process, but that has all been confirmed.

“The actual date of the hearing is to be confirmed, and we’ll make announcements on that later in the week.

“I can’t comment on the specifics of what occurred last night given the fact it’s now a live matter.

“It needs to follow natural justice and it needs to be an appropriate hearing. An independent panel will look at whatever evidence is available, and then make a determination. We’ll respect that.”

Mam, who had to withdraw from this year’s Indigenous All Stars side due to injury, was visibly shaken on the field after the alleged slur.

Several high-profile Indigenous players such as Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker leapt to his defence on social media, while others were angry with Leniu for his comments to Triple M after the game.

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

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

“Nothing (happened), it’s all just fun and games. We were on the field, and that’s it. I’m not worried at all,” the former Panthers prop said.

Broncos players allegedly had heated words with Leniu at their hotel several hours after the match, with plenty more fallout expected when more details come to light.

“He’s pretty upset in there (the sheds). We’ll leave that in the hands of the NRL to police and adjudicate on,” Broncos coach Kevin Walters said after the game.

“But we support Ezra in everything that’s around that.

“He’s adamant (that something was said) but we’ll leave that with the NRL. They’re looking at it so I won’t make any more comment on it except that we’re supporting our player, and rightly so.”

Broncos captain Adam Reynolds was also asked about the alleged incident.

Adam Reynolds weighed in on the alleged racial slur. Picture: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

“I didn’t hear it initially on the field. I was well away from it,” he said.

“Like Kev said, we support our players. He’s pretty upset in there.

“We certainly don’t stand for racism. We’ll support Ezra and get around him and make sure he’s all right and leave in the NRL’s hands.

“It’s never nice to hear any sort of racism slur or anything. Not in this day and age – you certainly wouldn’t think it’s still out there. It’s a bit of a shock.”

This was Leniu’s first game as a Rooster and is the first time a player has been accused of on-field racism since 2020 when Tyrone Peachey alleged that Mitch Barnett racially abused him, although he wasn’t suspended.

Roosters coach Trent Robinson was told that Mam was “adamant” something had been said, but didn’t want to comment.

“He obviously made the complaint, but that doesn’t mean it’s right,” he said.

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

Originally published as ‘The player involved has been charged’: Spencer Leniu referred directly to the NRL judiciary for alleged racial slur