Warning: Contains reference to an offensive term
Sydney Roosters prop Spencer Leniu has been suspended for eight weeks for racially abusing the Brisbane Broncos’ Ezra Mam.
Leniu, 23, admitted calling Mam, who is Indigenous Australian, an offensive term during a game but denied intending it to be a racial slur.
A National Rugby League (NRL) judiciary panel ruled that Leniu used the word with racial intentions.
It said his remorse was “genuine” but a lengthy ban was needed to “send a strong deterrent”.
New Zealand-born Leniu, who was raised in Sydney and represents Samoa, apologised to Mam earlier in the hearing.
He said: “I really am sorry to Ezra and his people. I can’t believe I used that word but I really didn’t mean it.”
The incident happened during the NRL season-opener on 2 March at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas – as part of a marquee round aimed at enticing a US audience to Australia’s top-tier competition.
During the game, which the Roosters won 20-10, 21-year-old Mam could be heard telling referee Adam Gee about Leniu’s slur, with another team-mate repeating the accusation.
Gee said he did not hear Leniu, but made a formal complaint at Mam’s request.
Leniu was then charged with breaking the NRL’s behaviour code and referred to a judiciary panel. He admitted calling Mam a “monkey”.
He will miss eight matches and be available to return against the New Zealand Warriors on 12 May.
Sydney Roosters chief executive Joe Kelly apologised “unreservedly” to Mam and extended it to “the wider Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community”.
He said in a statement: “Inclusivity and diversity are key and fundamental values of the Sydney Roosters and we respect equally all backgrounds and cultures and will not tolerate any form of racism.”
NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said: “Racism and vilification have no place in modern society and will not be tolerated in rugby league.
“I have spoken to Ezra to commend him for speaking up and taking a stand. It has been warming to see the game rally around him during this time and his wellbeing now is important.
“I also acknowledge Spencer Leniu’s genuine remorse and apology and ask everyone to consider his wellbeing after a testing time in his young career. We are human beings and we make mistakes. That is how we all learn and grow.”
