Latrell Mitchell’s teammates fear repeated instances of racial abuse will cause the NRL superstar to turn away from the sport prematurely.
Rabbitohs fullback Mitchell was reportedly called a “black dog” by a “fan” at Bluebet Stadium on Thursday night, and the 25-year-old and several of his teammates heard the ugly slur as they walked towards the tunnel at halftime during the Panthers. shock.
Cody Walker and Keaon Koloamatangi were furious, while Penrith fifth eighth Jarome Luai declared: “if he’s under attack, I cover him and he has my back.”
Mitchell is under contract with South Sydney until 2027 but is said to be fed up with being repeatedly attacked by rogue supporters who cross the line, be it on social media or at NRL matches.
Rabbitoh’s prostitute Damien Cook believes Mitchell could resign over the racist insults and live a life away from the spotlight on his Taree farm, north of Sydney.
Latrell Mitchell’s teammates fear ongoing racial abuse will cause the fed-up NRL superstar to turn away from the sport prematurely
Panthers running back Nathan Cleary, who plays alongside Mitchell for NSW and Australia, called the alleged racial slur “ridiculous”.
“That’s why it could end at 30…we have a great player who puts bums in the seats, everyone wants to see him play, but when you have things like this, and when it comes time to pick the farm or footy, these come up. things,’ he said.
“He leads by example for the indigenous culture and the young children that are coming, it is an absolute joke that this has happened.
‘And because? “It’s 2023 and this is (still) happening.”
Sydney Roosters manager Trent Robinson has made Mitchell into the attacking weapon he is today and believes this incident will only strengthen the Souths star, not keep him out of the game.
He’s too strong for that. It will get stronger and stronger with this,’ she said.
Head coach Trent Robinson of the Roosters and Latrell Mitchell of the Rabbitohs talk full time about their final elimination from the NRL in 2022
‘This isn’t the first time we’ve seen him with Latrell. He understands that it’s part of his life, from what I understand, I haven’t talked to him about it in a few years, but he gets it. He will use it his way and in the right way.
‘People don’t like strong indigenous voices like Latrell. They prefer that he stay quiet and in his box and not express it that way, and that’s how it comes out. That is unacceptable. It’s really disappointing.
“He has his way of expressing himself, and that’s great, but we’re not yet at a point where we’re happy to accept really strong indigenous voices in this country.”
Panthers running back Nathan Cleary, who plays alongside Mitchell for NSW and Australia, called the fan’s alleged racial slur “ridiculous”.
‘Excuse my French, but that’s bullshit. I don’t know why people still do those things,’ he told the Sydney Morning Herald.
‘It’s disgusting. I’m sorry Latrell is such a pivotal person in our game, but for whatever reason, people in this world want to be negative.’
It’s also not the first time Mitchell has been the target of vile personal attacks because of his indigenous heritage.
In April 2021, two men were charged with sending Mitchell racially abusive messages on social media.
Mitchell’s manager, Jason Demetriou, was furious at the post-match press conference, and had nothing to do with the 16-10 defeat at the hands of the Premiers.
“This is not something that Latrell only does on the football field, this is something that he has had to deal with all his life.” All indigenous peoples do it,” he said.
‘I can’t figure it out to be honest…we’ll take it to the police. We will go to the end, as far as we can with him.
‘As a club, we will be right next to Latrell. It’s just not on.
A host of players, including Penrith Luai stars Brian To’o, James Fisher Harris, Moses Leota, Stephen Crichton, plus current and former players such as Blake Ferguson, Jamal Fogarty, Brent Naden and Xavier Savage, have called for stop racist insults. .
Mitchell’s South Sydney teammate Cody Walker shared this message with a photo of the indigenous All Stars.
Jarome Luai posted this emphatic message of support, while former NRL player Blake Ferguson also supported Latrell.
‘There is no place for racism in our game period! Especially in our homeland. We need to learn to accept each other’s cultures,” Fisher Harris posted.
Don’t you have anything nice to say? Then shut up. You (sic) looking on the sidelines for a reason,’ Luai posted.
The South Sydney players also showed their solidarity with Mitchell.
‘There is no place in our game for racism. We are with you’, published Cameron Murray.
“Low act,” Jai Arrow posted.
