- Andrew Abdo has dismissed rumours that NRL clubs are exploiting a “loophole”
- The NRL then rejected a proposal for Latrell Mitchell to serve his suspension this weekend.
- The Rabbitohs superstar has been cleared to play against the Roosters if he is not suspended
- He will now serve the suspension in the first round of the 2025 season with Wayne Bennett
NRL boss Andrew Abdo has denied there is a “loophole” when it comes to competition rules as a bold attempt by South Sydney to allow Latrell Mitchell to serve a one-game suspension in the final round of the season was rejected.
Mitchell, 27, was banned for bringing the game into disrepute following an NRL investigation after the star fullback was photographed next to what appeared to be white powder in a Dubbo hotel room last month.
He had to be fully cleared by South Sydney’s medical staff and be available for selection for the ban to be enforced this year.
South Sydney hired three different doctors to provide evidence that Mitchell, who suffered a foot injury in Round 18 against the Eels and has not played since, was fit to play in Friday night’s clash with the Roosters.
Two weeks ago, interim coach Ben Hornby ruled Mitchell out for the remainder of the season, before the NRL handed down the suspension.
On Wednesday morning in Melbourne, Abdo denied South Sydney had found a loophole and said the NRL would assess the medical evidence submitted by the club.
Hours later the decision was made to reject the request and Mitchell will now miss returning manager Wayne Bennett’s first game in charge next season.
Stating the NRL’s position on the matter, Abdo called the situation “unique” but denied the club was exploiting any loopholes in the rules.
“We are working and in contact with the club,” he said.
NRL boss Andrew Abdo has denied there is a “loophole” that clubs can exploit when it comes to competition rules.
It comes after an attempt by South Sydney to allow Latrell Mitchell to serve a one-game suspension in the final round of the season was rejected.
“We want to make sure he is fit before we make that decision, so we are looking at it at the moment and we haven’t decided yet.
“It’s an unusual situation. It doesn’t happen that often. I don’t think it’s a way out.
‘All suspensions must be served when players are fit and available to play, so in effect they are missing a match, particularly if the suspensions occurred before the injury occurred.
“We will analyse it, work with the club and then make our decision.”
In addition to his ban, Mitchell was fined $20,000 by both the NRL and the Rabbitohs over the white powder saga.
Mitchell only played 11 NRL games this season before being sidelined with his foot injury.
Often a magnet for controversy, he was suspended for three matches after a late-match elbow on Warriors scrum-half Shaun Johnson and then became involved in a war of words with Anthony Mundine that dragged on for weeks following the Spencer Leniu and Ezra Mam racism saga.
Add to this Mitchell’s expletive-filled interview with Triple M, followed by his public disagreement with NRL 360 presenter Braith Anasta at a Sydney restaurant, and it’s understandable why Bunnies club officials want to see drastic changes in his behaviour.
‘Trell Mit’ helped the NSW Blues win the Origin series with a standout performance in the second game at the MCG, only to then be injured against the Eels in an incident that ruled him out for the rest of the season.
Wayne Bennett’s return to the Rabbitohs in 2025 as head coach could be a boon for Mitchell.
The pair share a close bond and Bennett is eager to get back to working with the full-back.
“I’ll be there for him and hopefully I can give them (South Sydney) the help they need,” he said recently.
“He’s in good hands and he’s a good person. I have a lot of time for Latrell.”
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