Shortly before making a racist statement to Broncos five-eighth Ezra Mam in Las Vegas, Roosters enforcer Spencer Leniu allegedly received a “derogatory remark.”
Ever since Mam claimed that Leniu had called him a “monkey” during the two teams’ Round 1 match at Allegiant Stadium, the Leniu-Mam issue has dominated headlines.
In a post-game interview, Leniu attempted to downplay the incident by referring to it as “banter” and “fun and games,” but he later admitted to using the word, apologised publicly, and entered a guilty plea in advance of his judiciary hearing on Monday.
Before providing any information regarding the incident, veteran News Corp journalist Phil Rothfield stated on Sunday on Sky Sports Radio’s Big Sports Breakfast that he anticipates Leniu to receive a “four to six-week” suspension.
According to rumours, Spencer Leniu’s brain explosion was caused by an extremely hurtful comment a Broncos player made to him, according to Rothfield.
“He has acknowledged this in private.
“He’s a different kind of guy, though; growing up, he was raised on the streets of Mount Druitt, where there’s this thing about not snitching or reporting people.”
Additionally, in his Sydney Morning Herald column, journalist Danny Weidler of Channel 9 said, “There’s no question his comment wasn’t made without other comments coming his way, but he won’t go down that path.”
However, Leniu’s apology has apparently been rejected by Mam, even though the 23-year-old offered to make the apologies in person in Brisbane.
Though Rothfield finds the fallout extremely distressing, he is “really pleased” that Leniu has “taken ownership for a really poor mistake.”
The incident has caused a rift between Latrell Mitchell and Anthony Mundine, two Indigenous role models with differing perspectives on the matter. Veteran coach Wayne Bennett has firmly said that “we are not a racist game” and has advised the “drama queens to stay out of it.”
Rothfield said, “I’m really disappointed in the fallout afterwards.”
It’s heartbreaking to witness how it has divided two incredibly proud Indigenous men, Anthony Mundine and Latrell Mitchell. Although I adore Anthony Mundine and consider him a pioneer in this field, I felt it was quite inadequate of him to urge Ezra Mam to toughen up.
Wayne Bennett referring to them as drama queens, in my opinion, wasn’t required. It’s a really depressing tale.
