Controversial former football star sensationally claims Spencer Leniu’s alleged ‘monkey’ insult was NOT racist as he delves into row that has rocked the NRL

John Hopoate took to Instagram to claim Spencer Leniu’s alleged ‘monkey’ insult to Ezra Mam was not racist in a bizarre version of the story that has rocked the NRL.

The NRL’s foray into Las Vegas was soured by an alleged insult directed at Broncos star Mam as the Sydney Roosters beat Brisbane 20-10 at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday.

“Ezra has made a formal complaint,” referee Adam Gee told the Roosters after the fight. “He is racial in nature against Spencer. I haven’t heard it. The incident is reported and will be addressed later. That’s where he is.’

In the audio of the match broadcast, Mom is heard telling referee Gee, “He called me a monkey.” Another Broncos player also says: “he called him a monkey.”

The NRL judiciary is reviewing the incident, and Leniu said after the match when asked about the allegation: “I think it’s all fun and games when we’re on the field.” That’s all.’

Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker have supported Mam following the alleged episode, with Souths star Mitchell calling on the NRL to “deal with this shit”.

But former Manly and Wests star Hopoate has shared his thoughts on the incident.

‘YO “A white guy calls me a monkey in a game so I slap him and then tell him I’m going to beat him off the field and the NSWRL DOGS give me a 5 year suspension,” he said.

‘A black man calls another black man a monkey and that is racism. Someone please explain to me what racism is like.

‘#IfYouCantHandleASledgeDontPlaySport’ ended.

Hopoate, 50, was referring to a 2018 incident in which the NSWRL accused him of punching rival players during a Narraweena Hawks match against Forestville in a Grade A home match.

Hopoate was banned from all participation in NSWRL rugby league for five years, with a further five years suspended.

“No one gets angry for no reason… They called me a ‘fucking black monkey’ and I didn’t like it, so I threatened to hit him and I’d do it again,” Hopoate told the league review panel.

Ezra Mam alleges rival player called him ‘monkey’ in Las Vegas

Spencer Leniu accused of insulting Brisbane Broncos star

When asked why he didn’t report the alleged racial slur during the game, he said it was because he “wasn’t an idiot.”

“I was too angry to say it because all I wanted to do was slap the guy who was being a smartass,” he said.

‘It’s unacceptable (behavior), but are we going to let these people get away with racism?’ “I would do the same thing here if someone called me a damn black monkey.”

Leniu was born in Auckland, New Zealand and grew up in Australia. He plays international rugby league for Samoa.