Teammates fear racist abuse could force Latrell Mitchell to QUIT the NRL over continued attacks

Latrell Mitchell’s teammates fear repeated incidents of racist abuse will see the NRL superstar leave the sport prematurely.

Rabbitohs fullback Mitchell was reportedly berated as ‘black dog’ by a ‘fan’ at Bluebet Stadium on Thursday night. to collide.

Cody Walker and Keaon Koloamatangi were outraged, while Penrith five-eighth Jarome Luai stated, “if he’s attacked, I’m behind him and he’s got my support.”

Mitchell is under contract with South Sydney until 2027 but is said to be tired of being repeatedly targeted by rogue supporters who cross the line, be it on social media or at NRL matches.

Rabbitoh’s prostitute Damien Cook thinks Mitchell is quitting because of the racist comments and is settling on a life away from the spotlight on his farm in Taree, north of Sydney.

Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary – who plays alongside Mitchell for NSW and Australia – branded the alleged racist slur ‘ridiculous’

“This is why he might be ready at 30…we have a great player who puts bums in chairs, everyone wants to see him play, but when you get this sort of thing, and when it’s time to move the farm or footy, these things are coming up,” he said.

“He sets a good example for the Indigenous culture and the young children who come through it, it is an absolute joke that this has happened.

‘And why? It’s 2023 and this is [still] happens.’

Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson developed Mitchell into the offensive weapon he is today and believes this incident will only steal the Souths star, not drive him away from the game.

He’s too strong for that. He will get stronger and stronger from this,” he said.

Trent Robinson head coach of the Roosters and Latrell Mitchell of the Rabbitohs talk full-time about their 2022 NRL final elimination

“This isn’t the first time we’ve seen it with Latrell. He understands that’s part of his life, so as far as I understand – I haven’t talked to him about it in a few years – but he understands that. He will use it his way and in the right way.’

“People don’t like strong native voices like Latrell. They’d rather he stay quiet and boxed up and not express it that way, and that’s how it comes out. That is unacceptable. It’s really disappointing.

“He has his way of expressing himself, which is cool, but we’re not at a point where we’re happy to accept really strong indigenous voices in this country.”

Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary – who plays for NSW and Australia alongside Mitchell – labeled the supporter’s alleged racist insult as ‘ridiculous’.

‘Excuse my French, but that’s sh*t. I don’t know why people still do things like that,” he told the The Sydney Morning Herald.

‘It’s disgusting. I feel for him. Latrell is such a crucial person in our game, but for some reason people in this world want to be negative.”

It’s also not the first time Mitchell has been subjected to vicious personal attacks because of his Indigenous heritage.

In April 2021, two men were charged with sending Mitchell racist messages on social media.

Mitchell’s coach Jason Demetriou boiled during the post-game press conference – and it had nothing to do with the 16-10 defeat at the hands of the Prime Ministers.

“This isn’t something Latrell just turns into cops on the football field, this is something he’s been dealing with all his life. That’s what all indigenous people do,” he said.

‘I honestly can’t reach it…we’ll take it to the police. We take it to the extreme, as far as we can.

“As a club we will stand next to Latrell. It’s just not happening.’

A host of players including Penrith stars Luai, Brian To’o, James Fisher Harris, Moses Leota, Stephen Crichton – plus current and former players such as Blake Ferguson, Jamal Fogarty, Brent Naden and Xavier Savage have called for an end to racist slurs .

Mitchell’s South Sydney teammate Cody Walker shared this post with a photo of the Indigenous All Stars

Jarome Luai posted this emphatic statement of support as former NRL player Blake Ferguson also supported Latrell

No room for racism in our competition period! Especially on our own property. We must learn to embrace each other’s cultures,” Fisher Harris posted.

‘Don’t you have anything good to say? Then shut up. Your [sic] standing on the sidelines watching for nothing,” Luai wrote.

South Sydney players also showed their solidarity with Mitchell.

“There is no place in our game for racism. We have your back,” Cameron Murray wrote.

“Low act,” Jai Arrow posted.