The NRL Integrity Unit is investigating the alleged racist abuse of Indigenous Souths stars Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker in what’s shaping to be the second racism scandal to hit the league this year.
Mitchell was allegedly called a ‘black bastard’ with Walker 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 matches after admitting to calling Broncos rival Ezra Mam a ‘monkey’ when their teams played in Las Vegas in round one.
Cody Walker (left) and Latrell Mitchell (right) reportedly copped 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 that the attacks could force him to quit footy
A witness told News Corp he confronted the fan who allegedly used the slurs and told police and security at the match.
The NRL Integrity Unit has spoken to the witness and has the seat details of the alleged offender.
In a statement, the league said it ‘takes these allegations seriously and is looking into them as a matter of priority’.
Souths are aware of the matter after being ‘informed by a member of the public’ and ‘stand in condemnation of any form of racism … and will support the NRL’s investigation in any way possible’, the club said.
Mitchell was strongly criticised by some fans and experts after he warned that the NRL had ‘better deal with this s**t’ before Leniu’s judiciary hearing over his abuse of Mam.
Walker (pictured during the Dragons game) reacted furiously 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, with the incident leaving his teammates fearing that he could quit the game over the attacks.
Mitchell then vowed that he would not ‘shut my mouth’ until racism is driven out of Australian sport.
‘A lot of people would love for me to stand in line and shut my mouth, but I won’t do that,’ he said.
‘I will always stand up for my heritage, for my culture and being a voice for all Australian kids.
‘It’s about time we rubbed racism out of our game and out of our sports. Even in the AFL, the poor fellas cop it there.
‘I will support anyone who gets racially abused or vilified. It’s all about us moving forward and growing as a game.’
Mitchell was criticised for sending the above warning to the NRL on social media after Broncos star Ezra Mam was on the end of a racist slur in round one this year
Then-Souths coach Jason Demetriou called for any fans found guilty of racist abuse to be permanently barred from attending games.
‘It’s not what our game is about and we have to stamp it out completely. NRL clubs have to get rid of it, life bans, anyone that wants to make racial abuse get out of the game, we don’t want their support. It’s got to end,’ he said.
Walker was one of the Souths stars who reacted furiously after hearing the slur being delivered during the Penrith game last year.
‘I feel as though it’s the worst form of discrimination there is,’ he said afterwards.
‘It’s absolutely disgusting behaviour. Hearing those sort of words come out of someone’s mouth … I dunno. I’ve actually got no words.’
