- NRL CEO rejects Rabbitohs star Latrell Mitchell for special treatment
- Mitchell avoided punishment after expletive-filled post-match interview
- Andrew Abdo confirmed he would contact Mitchell privately
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NRL boss Andrew Abdo has vehemently denied South Sydney star Latrell Mitchell is getting special treatment – and the code is terrified of sanctioning him after escaping a fine for an expletive-filled post-match interview last week in Brisbane.
Abdo says he will contact Mitchell in due course to privately discuss his behavior having been criticized for his language, with former Broncos, Maroons and Kangaroos forward Corey Parker suggesting other players could have been sanctioned if they l ‘had done instead.
The Rabbitohs fullback was not issued with an infringement notice and will likely avoid a fine or suspension, but Abdo stressed it was not because the NRL was afraid to stand up to one of the the most influential personalities in the game.
Players have been investigated in the past for using foul language, but Abdo said Roosters hooker Brandon Smith had not been hit with a violation notice for swearing on a podcast, and neither did Cronulla’s Toby Rudolf for making inappropriate comments on Fox Sports.
“It’s a pretty bold statement to make and we’ve proven in the past that when a player breaks the rules and we think that warrants infringement action, we take it,” Abdo said at the launch of the multicultural round in Parramatta on Wednesday.
NRL boss Andrew Abdo has denied South Sydney star Latrell Mitchell is getting special treatment and the sport is too scared to sanction him.
If follows Mitchell who escaped a fine for his expletive-filled post-match interview last week after losing to the Broncos (pictured)
“Similarly, we have been accused of being too harsh on players. Everyone will have their opinion on this. I’m really comfortable with the current situation and the steps we’re taking right now.
“Everyone has their opinion and that’s what we love about our game. Everyone has their point of view and is passionate about it, and I totally respect that.
“I think it’s important to note that I will always catch up with a player. There has always been an open invitation to meet with any player or official of the game from time to time on a range of topics.
“But we have a number of top players and Latrell is one of them. He is a role model, he is a leader and if there is an opportunity to engage with him and work with him on a series of issues the game faces, so I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t.
Mitchell took to Instagram to tell everyone to “move on” on this issue.
The NRL has taken a stand on a number of issues to send a clear message to other players that certain behavior is unacceptable. That’s why it’s so strange that they didn’t take action against Mitchell for swearing live on air.
“I have been CEO for four seasons and we play a lot of matches,” Abdo said.
“Players speak to the media on big occasions, so every now and then to have instances where the language used is unfortunate is quite isolated in my opinion.
Mitchell posted on Instagram that it was time to “move on” after the incident as anticipation builds for Friday’s clash against the Roosters at Allianz Stadium.
The superstar fullback scored his 100th career NRL try at Suncorp Stadium – but the pressure on him and struggling Souths is mounting after two consecutive defeats.
“I don’t think it’s an endemic problem, and I think it’s been made into something bigger than it necessarily is.”
“We encourage players to be themselves and be authentic, but I will go back to the word I used earlier, with ‘respect’.
“We expect our players to set a good example, and clearly using foul language is an example of what we don’t want our players to do.”
“We all make mistakes, and we have to take them in the context that, from time to time, there will be things said that players will regret.
“I have heard Latrell acknowledge that he regrets this, and I will discuss this with him in due course.”