Teenage boy at centre of alleged exchange with South Sydney Rabbitohs fullback Latrell Mitchell to contest his comments were racially motivated

South Sydney officials said Mitchell would be available for Friday night’s blockbuster against the Roosters at Allianz Stadium.

It comes as Australia’s Human Rights Commission called on NRL clubs to sign up to a code to stamp out racism at sporting events.

While major competitions and sports organizations such as the NRL, AFL, Cricket Australia, Tennis Australia, Golf Australia and some of the country’s largest sporting venues have adopted the principles, only one NRL club (Cronulla Sharks) has signed the guidelines.

The Australian Human Rights Commission is believed to be in the process of working with several NRL clubs to give their official endorsement of the guidelines.

The Code to Combat Spectator Racism was developed following a roundtable with heavyweight sports administrators in 2021, a year after Brent Naden claimed he was racially abused during a game for the Panthers on the Central Coast.

“I am deeply concerned by the allegations of racial abuse made against Latrell Mitchell during last night’s NRL game,” said Racial Discrimination Commissioner Chin Tan.

“This incident shows the urgent need for professional sports organizations, including clubs, codes, stadiums and broadcasters, to work together to tackle spectator racism.

“The spectator racism guidelines that the Commission 2021 produced alongside key sports codes show exactly what needs to be done to eradicate spectator racism.

“These guidelines include best practice approaches to preventing racist incidents and culturally safe processes for responding to incidents when they do occur.

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“They also include a range of resources that all sports organizations can use to help spread the message that racism will never be tolerated.

“Having developed the guidelines along with key sports laws, I look forward to working with professional sports clubs to endorse the guidelines and put them into practice.

“There is no place for racism in sport.”

Mitchell has drawn support from a number of Indigenous and non-Indigenous figures in the game following the incident that marred the Panthers’ first win of the season.

Roosters coach Trent Robinson said he expected the clash between bitter rivals Roosters and Rabbitohs to be fought in the right spirit after referee Ashley Klein used the scapegoat seven times in last year’s final.

“I expect there will be a lot of energy in the stadium next week,” said Robinson. “I expect it to be played correctly by both the crowd and the 26 players on the field. [Hopefully there is] Respect all around, and off we go.”

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