South Sydney's mascot-wearer has apologised for pushing a child during an NRL match against the Cronulla Sharks.
Charlie Gallico, while dressed as mascot Reggie Rabbit, was filmed shoving a nine-year-old boy while moving through the players' tunnel at Sharks Stadium during their round three fixture.
Gallico, 81, issued an apology on Tuesday following an investigation by the club into a complaint made by the child's mother Caroline Agius.
South Sydney spoke with event security at the match, the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks club and the NRL Integrity Unit in their investigation, after video of the incident was widely shared on social media.
"I would like to apologise to young Benji and his parents," Mr Gallico said in a club statement.
"My actions were wrong. I should never have pushed Benji, or any child for that matter, the way I did on Saturday.
"I hope they can forgive me and accept my apology, and I hope he continues to love rugby league and keeps enjoying going to the football on the weekends.
"I love this club and would not mean to do anything to hurt the club, but unfortunately, this time my actions have hurt the club.
"I will do everything I can to represent South Sydney in the best way possible from now on. Nothing like this will ever happen again."
Gallico is a well-loved member at Souths, having worn the bunny costume for more than two decades.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, a Rabbitohs fan and former board member of the club, came out in defence of the retired panelbeater.
"I was a director of South Sydney in the 1990s, which is when Charlie began as South Sydney's mascot," Mr Albanese said earlier in the week.
"Charlie is a very gentle person … if he weighs 40 kilos, he must be wet.
"He has been doing it for a long time and he would never try to hurt anyone.
"From time to time … (he) has been pushed, whacked, because people don't realise that there is an 81-year-old fellow in there as a mascot.
"I've seen nine-year-olds who are bigger than Charlie."
