The NRL Integrity Unit is investigating the alleged racist abuse of Southern Indigenous stars Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker in what is shaping up to be the second racism scandal to hit the league this year.
Mitchell was allegedly called a “black bastard” and Walker was branded a “dog” by a fan during the Rabbitohs’ loss to the Dragons on Saturday night.
The reported abuse comes after Roosters star Spencer Leniu was banned for eight games after admitting to calling Broncos rival Ezra Mam a “monkey” when their teams played in Las Vegas in the first round. .
Cody Walker (left) and Latrell Mitchell (right) allegedly suffered racist abuse during the Bunnies’ loss to the Dragons on Saturday night.
When Mitchell (pictured) was racially abused by a fan during a match against Penrith last year, his teammates were worried the attacks could force him to quit football.
A witness said news corporation He confronted the fan who allegedly used the insults and told police and match security.
The NRL Integrity Unit has spoken to the witness and has seat details of the alleged offender.
In a statement, the league said it “takes these allegations seriously and is investigating them as a matter of priority.”
Souths are aware of the matter after being “informed by a member of the public” and “condemn any form of racism… and will support the NRL’s investigation in any way possible”, the club said.
Mitchell was heavily criticized by some fans and pundits after warning the NRL had “better deal with this s**t” ahead of Leniu’s court hearing over his abuse of Mam.
Walker (pictured during the Dragons game) reacted angrily when Mitchell was racially abused during a match against Penrith last year.
The Bunnies fullback was also racially abused by a young fan during a match at Penrith in 2023, and the incident led his teammates to fear he could leave the game because of the attacks.
Mitchell then vowed he would not “shut his mouth” until racism is eliminated from Australian sport.
“A lot of people would love me to stand in line and shut my mouth, but I won’t,” he said.
‘I will always defend my heritage, my culture and be a voice for all Australian children.
‘It is time we eliminated racism from our game and our sports. Even in the AFL, the poor lads get by there.
‘I will support anyone who is racially abused or vilified. “It’s about us moving forward and growing as a game.”
Mitchell was criticized for sending the previous warning to the NRL on social media after Broncos star Ezra Mam was on the end of a racist abuse in this year’s opening round.
Then-Souths coach Jason Demetriou called for any fan found guilty of racist abuse to be permanently banned from attending matches.
‘That’s not what our game is about and we have to eradicate it completely. NRL clubs need to get rid of this, get rid of the lifetime bans, get rid of anyone who wants to get racial abuse out of the game, we don’t want your support. It has to end,’ he said.
Walker was one of the Souths stars who reacted angrily after hearing the insult during the Penrith game last year.
“I feel like it’s the worst form of discrimination there is,” she said later.
“It’s absolutely disgusting behavior. To hear those kinds of words come out of someone’s mouth… I don’t know. I actually have no words.
