ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys has warned players who supported Ezra Mam not to make public comments that could prejudice future judiciary hearings, assuring them the NRL will not tolerate racism.

The head of the ARL Commission, Peter V’landys, has cautioned players who backed Ezra Mam against saying anything in public that would sway future court cases and assured them that racism will not be tolerated in the NRL.

After calling Mam a racist, Roosters recruit Spencer Leniu was suspended for eight weeks; nevertheless, Jonathan Thurston felt the sentence wasn’t severe enough. Leniu claimed he was unaware that the nickname “monkey” was derogatory to Indigenous athletes, while Haumole Olakau’atu, a forward for Manly, said he had heard the term “coconut” used a lot and didn’t find it offensive.

Latrell Mitchell, a star for South Sydney, was vocal in his support of Mam and demanded that Leniu receive a lengthy suspension prior to the forward’s appointment with the judiciary. On Wednesday, Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou supported Mitchell’s position.

“No club or person bound by this code shall comment adversely on, or with respect to… any matter which has been, is, or is likely to be, the subject of a proceeding before the ARLC, the NRL Judiciary, or the Match Review Committee,” according to Section 31 of the NRL’s code of conduct.

While V’landys praised Mam for confronting racism, he also stated that although the rugby league community should support him, players shouldn’t discuss individual situations in front of court proceedings.

Natural justice and due process must be provided to all people, according to V’landys. This means that people shouldn’t discuss specific instances before the judiciary before they have had a chance to defend themselves.

But I don’t mind if they talk in general terms without going into detail about a specific instance. Everyone has the right to natural justice and due process in our society. We must adhere to those values. People shouldn’t be biased unless they are allowed to defend themselves.

Although Mitchell’s remarks are unlikely to result in any consequences from the NRL, head office may decide to remind the star of his obligations under the code of conduct.

For the first time since the incident, Roosters coach Trent Robinson stated that Leniu used inappropriate language, but he vehemently refuted claims that the forward was racist.

Robinson argued, “To call Spencer a racist is so far from the truth; it’s so far from the truth.” But is the wording correct? You can’t use that [language] at all, but does that happen every day? Yes, it is.

“If we are to interpret the meaning of racism correctly, it is the use of authority or one’s position of power to denigrate and put another person below you. We’re completely off base if you believe that an immigrant who was raised in Mount Druitt by parents who were originally from Samoa and then, later, New Zealand, is attempting to subjugate someone by using his position of authority.

Robinson explained that the event was a “language issue” and that everyone should take a moment to think before they speak to someone.

“I understand that Spencer should not have used that language, and he will have to live with that for the rest of his life. However, a lot of people use this language, so we should take positive steps to change the way society views it and everyone should check how they speak to each other,” the Roosters coach said. “The NRL is not the issue here.

The staff and I have had to discuss it a few times, and each time has been excellent. How do you communicate with each other, you know? How do you feel about the way you communicate with each other? How do you think you communicate with others in the locker room, at work, and on the field? The question of whether or not Spencer was racist didn’t need to be discussed.

Is Leniu guilty of using inappropriate language? Without a doubt. And that will be expensive for a while, but we can either continue this back and forth or ask ourselves, “Well, what will get better out of this?”

Before the hearing, Demetriou chastised supporters of Mitchell and other Indigenous celebrities who demanded that Leniu be placed under an indefinite ban.

According to Demetriou, “the game is littered with people’s thoughts, agendas, and opinions.” “We’re proud of Cody Walker and Latrell because they maintain the same position—one that hasn’t altered in years. They do a fantastic job representing their people, and I’m quite proud of them. You fall for everything if you have nothing to stand for.

Former Leniu teammate and Panthers captain Nathan Cleary would not comment on whether or not athletes should speak on issues before the courts.

The three-time premiership-winning halfback claimed he had not heard teammates engaged in casual racism, but he was unable to speak for other players who might have been affected because he is a white man.

“I don’t really feel like I’m in a position to speak on casual racism because I haven’t heard it while I’ve been on the field in my NRL career,” Cleary stated. “Obviously, I can’t comment on it because I’m a white male who has grown up with privilege.”

V’landys stated that more education was necessary since Leniu and Olakau’atu were ignorant of the possible harm that words like “monkey” may cause.

“It’s important for players and everyone else to understand that saying something hurtful to someone else is never appropriate,” V’landys stated.

“You should never say anything that could undermine someone’s confidence, damage their sense of self, or evoke unpleasant memories. Unfortunately, words sting. We must teach our gamers that some of the things they claim are harmless actually have the potential to do harm.

It’s a process of education. In rugby league, I take great delight in the fact that everyone is treated equally. That will not change; disparaging remarks about one another won’t tear us apart.

It’s a process of education. In rugby league, I take great delight in the fact that everyone is treated equally. That will not change; disparaging remarks about one another won’t tear us apart.

It’s a matter of being mindful that the words you choose to use could harm someone. I firmly think that athletes don’t intentionally damage someone’s self-worth.

“We are never going to tolerate racism,” he said. “I know how the Indigenous kids and people feel because I had it to a much lesser extent. I know how much it hurts. I understand the hurt they have because sometimes people don’t understand what they say does hurt.”

Penrith enforcer Moses Leota said he had spoken to Leniu before the judiciary.

“I spoke to him last week before our game and he seems to be coping well; he’s got his family there and he’s got all our support,” Leota said.

The Samoan international Leota responded to Olakau’atu’s remarks from Tuesday by stating he had not experienced any racism on the field.

“To be really honest, I haven’t really [heard names],” he remarked. “I don’t really strive to go inside other people’s heads; I’m fairly reserved. However, I haven’t heard anything like it before.

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