Ezra Mam rejects face-to-face apology from Spencer Leniu.
As the racism controversy rages, Brisbane Broncos player Ezra Mam is said to have turned down a face-to-face apology from Roosters forward Spencer Leniu.
Leniu, who had admitted to the crime of calling Mam a “monkey” during the two clubs’ Las Vegas match, has reportedly offered to pay for his own airfare to Brisbane in order to meet with Mam and try to make up by apologizing to him in person. This information was reported by The Courier Mail.
The newspaper does, however, understand that Mam has turned down Leniu’s peace offer because he is still furious in private about the forward’s remarks. Leniu is a three-time premiership champion with the Penrith Panthers.
Following the Roosters’ appeal, the NRL has confirmed that Leniu’s judiciary hearing will take place on Monday night.
The play was stopped during the Las Vegas game, and Leniu was placed under investigation for allegedly using a racist insult against Ezra Mam, the indigenous fullback for the Brisbane Broncos.
Referee Adam Gee received the complaint from the star five-eighth, and informed Roosters captain James Tedesco that he had not heard anything but would submit the situation for further investigation.
Later on, it was revealed that Leniu had referred to Mam as a “monkey.”
Assistant coach John Cartwright told The Courier Mail, “He’s had plenty of support.”
“Ez, he’s a wonderful little boy. Among the group, he is well regarded. He’ll be alright.
When questioned if the story will hinder Mam’s development in the near future or perhaps for the duration of the season, he responded, “We haven’t got a problem with Ezra.”
He is a really sensible young child. He has handled it as it needed to be handled.
“The NRL is now in charge of it after the club handled it. The ideal place to be as a football player is alongside your teammates,
“I think it’s fantastic that we’re all here together today and I love how they all came together.”
“As a football player, you want to be with your teammates through good times and bad.”