NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo has stopped short of guaranteeing a lifetime ban for the spectator who racially abused Latrell Mitchell in South Sydney's match against the Panthers on Thursday night.
Abdo commended Mitchell for his conduct and leadership in the aftermath of the incident and vowed to rid the league of racism but declined to say what exact punishment the NRL would hand down to the perpetrator or when the league's investigation would be completed.
"There are certain things in our game that are purely unacceptable. And, once we know all of the facts around what was said, and by whom, we will think very carefully about what the appropriate action is for that. This is also an opportunity for us to educate people too," Abdo said.
"Whilst we might take strong action, we also want to use this as an opportunity to educate people that require it, around what is acceptable, not only around rugby league games but [around] society more generally.
"I'm not going to jump to what the potential action or sanction is, because it's very much based on the circumstances behind the facts.
"We need to let the integrity unit and authorities do their job and get all the information.
"The message to those outlying individuals is very clear: You are not welcome in our game.
"You're going to be called out, and not just by players, but by fans and officials. We self-regulate in our game. And eventually it becomes eradicated.
"That has to be our goal and our vision."
The NRL has handed out lifetime bans in the past when spectators have racially abused players, most notably when former Rabbitohs star Greg Inglis was targeted at a match in Penrith in 2018.
"I think we had a track record of dealing with these matters appropriately," Abdo said.
"Sometimes, matters are very delicate, so we need to think innovatively around what we do to make sure we are genuinely making a difference. Sanction is part of it, but rehabilitation and understanding is also part of it too.
"But we haven't hesitated in the past, where we've had information, to act on it, and enforce bans on fans, on participants, on those inside the game.
"You can't take for granted that being part of rugby league means you have to adhere to certain standards and beliefs."
Abdo confirmed he had been in contact with Mitchell and affirmed the Rabbitohs superstar had the full support of the league and the game.
He also commended how South Sydney and Penrith dealt with the situation on the night.
"I've reached out to him and we've exchanged texts. He knows that he has my support and he's acknowledged that," Abdo said.
"It's commendable and something to be proud of around how the game rallies together in these type of situations.
"But let's be honest, these types of things hurt. Latrell is a human being.
"And comments like this affect us, whether or not we want to admit that. He knows the game stands behind him and I think he's gaining a lot of strength from the support he has from everyone inside the game."
Meanwhile, Roosters coach Trent Robinson has apologised to Mitchell on behalf of his club after news emerged the fan in questions was wearing a Tricolours jersey.
Robinson previously coached Mitchell at the Roosters from 2016 to 2019 and was instrumental in his rise to NRL stardom.
"It's really disappointing. We just don't represent the Roosters in that way. It's not how we want to act as Roosters," Robinson said.
"Whether we like it or not, they were wearing our colours. We have to accept that. But it doesn't mean they are a Rooster.
"If you want to act like that, and abuse people racially like that, then that is not who we are. It's not who we want to be.
"We need to be better than (that). I'm apologising from the Roosters to Latrell, even though it's not directly us. Indirectly one of our fans did that, and it's not right."
Robinson did, however, admit he was not surprised by the situation.
"Because that's where we are still at as a country," Robinson said.
"It's pretty standard. Some people are casual racists and some people are overt like it was last night. That's where we're at.
"People don't like strong Indigenous voices like Latrell's. They would rather he stay quiet and in his box and not express it in that way.
"We are still not at a point where we are able to accept really strong Indigenous voices in this country. That's really disappointing."
AAP/ABC
