Racism rears its ugly head again in NRL: Latrell, Cody lodge abuse claim
The NRL is investigating an allegation that Indigenous stars Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker were racially abused during South Sydney’s loss to St George Illawarra.
Cody Walker of the Rabbitohs celebrates with Latrell Mitchell after scoring a try during the Round 4 NRL match between the Canterbury Bulldogs and the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Stadium Australia, in Sydney, Friday, April 2, 2021. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY
South Sydney confirmed on Monday they had been made aware of a claim that the Rabbitohs pair were racially vilified by a member of the Kogarah crowd during last Saturday’s match.
“The Rabbitohs were informed of the incident by a member of the public as well as the NRL,” Souths said in a statement.
“The NRL has confirmed the NRL Integrity Unit is investigating the matter.
“The Rabbitohs stand in condemnation of any form of racism in our sport, and society in general, and will support the NRL’s investigation in any way possible.”
It is far from the first time Mitchell has been racially targeted.
A teenager received a formal warning from NSW Police and a ban from the NRL last year for abusing Mitchell as he walked off the field at Penrith.
Mitchell has frequently called out racism on social media throughout his career, and has recently been subjected to boos from fans at matches.
The alleged abuse of Walker also came in his 200th NRL game.
