Indigenous Australian rugby league player alleges racial slur incident in Las Vegas match
Indigenous Australian rugby league player, Ezra Mam, has raised allegations of a racial slur being used by an opposing player during a match in Las Vegas over the weekend.
Indigenous Australian rugby league player Ezra Mam has claimed that his opponent used a racial slur during a game in Las Vegas on Saturday. Mam, who plays for the Brisbane Broncos, lodged a complaint against Spencer Leniu of the Sydney Roosters in the second half of the NRL season-opener.
Leniu was reported by CNN affiliate Nine News for allegedly calling Mam a “monkey.”
According to NRL.com, Leniu has been referred to the NRL’s disciplinary body and charged with contrary conduct following the alleged incident.
The NRL judiciary panel is set to review the case involving Leniu before making a decision, according to the league.
When questioned by Nine News about the match incident, Leniu described it as simply "a bit of friendly banter."
"It was all just fun and games on the field, a little banter on the field. If they want to do anything, we stay in the same hotel, so I’m right there," he said.
Meanwhile, Broncos coach Kevin Walters told reporters after the game that Mam was “adamant” a racial slur had been used, adding his player was “pretty upset” after the game.
Team captain Adam Reynolds mentioned that the Broncos were standing by Mam and he didn't hear the incident at first.
"It's really awful to hear any form of racism... especially in this day and age. You wouldn't expect it to still be happening," Reynolds shared with reporters post-match. "It's quite surprising."
Spencer Leniu played down the incident after the match.
Spencer Leniu played down the incident after the match.
David Becker/Getty Images
Roosters coach Trent Robinson told reporters he had not spoken to Leniu about the incident in the locker room after the game.
Robinson stated, "I don’t know what happened. Mam obviously made the complaint but that doesn’t mean that it’s right. It will go through the formal process as it should."
The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Leniu was involved in a verbal confrontation with Broncos players the night after the match, as both teams were staying in the same hotel.
The Roosters won the match 20-10 in Las Vegas, the second of two games played by the NRL to attract more global interest in the sport. More than 40,000 spectators filled the Allegiant Stadium, as reported by the league.
NRL CEO Andrew Abdo spoke out against the use of slurs in sports, stating, "There is no place for these types of slurs in sport. We value inclusivity and it is unacceptable in this day and age," in an interview with Nine News.
“The process will unfold. We are aware of the issue and it’s gonna be dealt with.”
CNN has contacted the two clubs and the NRL for comment.
