Demetriou calls for life bans after Latrell subjected to racial abuse
Alicia Newton
NRL Reporter
Thu 9 Mar 2023, 11:13 PM
Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou has called for life bans after Latrell Mitchell was subjected to alleged racial abuse at half-time during South Sydney's 16-10 loss to the Panthers on Thursday night.
Mitchell was allegedly abused by a teenage Penrith fan who was ejected from BlueBet Stadium by security, marking the second time in five years that a fan has been removed from the venue after former Rabbitohs fullback Greg Inglis was a victim of racial abuse by two fans in 2018.
"It's not a claim, it happened. It's not the first time we've come here as a club and our players have been racially abused. Like where does it end? It's just not on," Demetriou said post-match.
"I shouldn't have to be able to come here as a coach and lead a team for players to be abused. We have to stamp it out completely. NRL clubs have to get rid of it on give life bans."
NRL CEO Andrew Abdo released a statement on Thursday night condemning the alleged incident.
"Any form of racism or vilification will not be tolerated in our sport," Abdo said.
"We are working with the stadium and the club to get all the facts. The Integrity Unit will investigate fully.
"We will stand behind our players and commend them for calling out this behaviour."
Mitchell was kept well at bay by the Panthers throughout the contest before getting involved late as the Rabbitohs came within a converted try of levelling the scores at the death.
Demetriou said Mitchell was "sick of it" with the latest incident not the first time the South Sydney star has been on the end of racial abuse within the game.
"Latrell answers his critics with his character every week," Demetriou said.
"He continually shows the quality person he is. This is not something Latrell just cops on the footy field but something he's had to deal with his whole life... all Indigenous people do.
"Latrell is a real role model in our game. We love him at our club and he stands for all Indigenous people.
"He's sick of it... why wouldn't he be? He should be able to come here as a star of our game and not be racially abused.
"Who cares what colour he is. It's just not on. I can't understand how that happens in this day and age. I can't get my head around how a young kid thinks that's the language to be using. I don't care what jersey he is wearing.
"Anyone who wants to give racial abuse, get them out of the game, we don't want their support," he said. "It's got to end. We'll go all the way, as far as we can with it. As a club we'll stand behind Latrell."
"Get them out of our game."
The Panthers confirmed post-match via a statement that the club was of the alleged incident and said the club will work with the NRL to investigate the situation.
NRL CEO Andrew Abdo wants to see racism from the sport eradicated and promised to sanction and educate any person found to have abused players.
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