- Roosters star admitted attacking Bronco with abuse
- He is now likely to receive a lengthy suspension from the game.
- Soccer star turned boxer Mundine has a controversial opinion
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Indigenous footballer and boxing great Anthony Mundine believes Spencer Leniu wasn’t being racist when he called Ezra Mam a “monkey” and told the Broncos star he needs to “toughen up.”
Leniu is set for a lengthy suspension after admitting he targeted Ezra Mam with a racial slur during the NRL’s opening round in Las Vegas.
The Sydney Roosters prop pleaded guilty to contrary conduct and apologized to the Brisbane five-eighth in a statement on Thursday, the first time the Roosters formally addressed the matter.
Mundine made his explosive statement in an Instagram video he posted on Friday.
“It’s not racism,” the former Dragons and Broncos star said.
‘When two brothers are brown or black… they call each other a black C or this or that, but that’s what they are.
‘It’s like an African American and another African American calling each other the N-word.
“I think they should toughen up that way… for a white guy to say that to a black guy, that’s a different story.”
‘You have to take it on the chin. “It’s what we (Indigenous Australians) have done all our lives.”
Leniu claimed he did not intend to racially vilify the 21-year-old Indigenous youngster by calling him a “monkey” mid-game at the Allegiant Stadium on Saturday night (Sunday AEDT).
Leniu is set to receive a lengthy suspension after admitting the vile insult against Ezra Mam during the Roosters’ win over Brisbane in Las Vegas.
Former Dragons and Broncos star turned boxer Anthony Mundine believes there is no way Leniu’s comment should be considered racist.
Mam lodged an official on-field complaint with referee Adam Gee after Leniu attacked him during a brawl at the end of the Roosters’ 20-10 win.
Leniu was reported and then referred directly to the NRL judiciary, with a hearing scheduled for Monday night.
The NRL has so far been unable to obtain audio of the insult, but Broncos players are expected to testify when Leniu heads the panel.
The Roosters recruit initially downplayed the incident when questioned by the media after the match, saying the tensions between the sides had been “fun and games”.
Those comments sparked the ire of Indigenous players, including Kotoni Staggs and Latrell Mitchell, and Leniu has since expressed remorse.
“I want to apologize to Ezra and his family for using the word I did and I am truly sorry for causing him so much distress,” Leniu said in a statement.
Mundine told mom (pictured during the Vegas Roosters game) to “toughen up” and “take it on the chin” after he stood up to the abuse last Sunday.
‘I raised my hand and I want to take charge of this. I said the word but I didn’t say it in a racist way. Anyone who knows me knows that I’m not like that.
The Broncos have stood by Mam’s version of events throughout the entire ordeal and released their own statement in response to Leniu on Thursday.
‘The Broncos recognize Spencer’s apology to Ezra and the importance of taking that step. “There is no place for racism in our game or in our society,” the statement reads.
“The club respects the NRL judicial process which is yet to unfold and we will not be commenting further on this matter.
‘Ezra’s well-being has been our primary concern from the beginning. He has received great support within our club and we will continue to focus on that in the future.”