Indigenous TV star Brooke Boney has spoken out on the Today Show to support Latrell Mitchell after the Rabbitohs star faced racial abuse from an NRL fan.
As the defender left the pitch at half time of South Sydney’s loss to Penrith at BlueBet Stadium, a fan wearing a Roosters shirt was heard directing racist abuse at the football star.
It is understood that he was rushed out of the stadium, with police and the NRL launching investigations.
After the Panthers’ 16-10 win, Boney spoke out against racism in football.
“As the only indigenous person here, I just want to participate and I want to say that racism in sport, racism everywhere, has to stop,” he said Friday.
‘Being able to go to work and do your job is something everyone should be able to do.
Aboriginal TV star Brooke Boney has spoken out on the Today Show in support of Latrell Mitchell
“I mean, Latrell Mitchell is a big kid, he can take care of himself, but no one should have to go to work and be abused. That’s gross.
Boney said it was unacceptable bystander behavior and there was no excuse for it.
‘We’ve seen it happen before in the AFL. We have seen it happen in other codes and I don’t know what is going through people’s heads. I know this guy was a kid, but you should know better. These kids are learning it from somewhere,” he said.
‘The thing is, it’s not just Latrell who takes the field. They are kids at home watching this as we report it. It is the children who see comments on Facebook when the clip is published. It’s disgusting and it has to stop. He is making people sick.
His passionate comments come after his co-host, Alex Cullen, called the incident “isolated” and said the fan’s actions were “inexcusable.”
‘I was in that game. It was about four or five bays to the left of where that happened. I did not see this incident, ”he said.
‘This is an isolated incident. I’m in Penrith all the time. They are a great crowd, they are a great community. But what this person did out there is inexcusable.
Fans have taken to social media to echo Boney’s thoughts.
“Racism within rugby league must end,” one posted. ‘Lifetime bans should be handed out to any member of the crowd who spawns racist slurs.
NRL fans have thrown their support behind Latrell Mitchell after he was racially abused
The Rabbitohs star and his teammates heard the insult as they walked off the field at halftime.
‘Latrell Mitchell inspires indigenous children and is a modern gaming legend. He shouldn’t be tolerated at all.
Another said: “You can dislike Latrell Mitchell all you want, but racially abusing him at a football game is beyond embarrassing.”
“Whoever racially abused Latrell Mitchell has to get a lifetime ban,” said a third fan. ‘It’s 2023 and this is still happening.’
Meanwhile another said: ‘Latrell Mitchell being racially abused in Penrith by some idiot in a Roosters shirt is shameful. Jail or ban the idiot for life.
After the match, an angry Jason Demetriou raged at the sorry state of affairs embarrassing the NRL and called on league bosses to act decisively.
‘Occurred. It is not the first time we have come here as a club and our players have been racially abused,” he said.
‘Where does it end? It’s just not on. You shouldn’t have to be able to come here as a coach and lead our players to racial abuse.
Fans took to Twitter to support the South Sydney superstar after his Round 2 match
‘It’s not what our game is about and we have to eradicate it completely. NRL clubs need to get rid of that, lifetime bans, anyone who wants to take racial abuse out of the game, we don’t want their support. It has to end.
When asked about Mitchell’s well-being, Demetriou said: “He’s sick of it.” Why wouldn’t he be? You shouldn’t have to come here as a star of our game and suffer racial abuse.
‘Who cares what color it is? It’s not on. I don’t even understand how that happens in our time.
‘I can’t understand why a small child thinks that’s the language to use. I don’t care what shirt he’s wearing. Get him out of our game.