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This was published 2 years ago

NRL 2024 judiciary LIVE updates: Spencer Leniu issued hefty ban for racial slur

Dan Walsh
Updated ,first published

Key Posts

Thanks all, that’s it for tonight
Abdo: The learnings from this ‘sad event’
Leniu is suspended for eight games
Time for deliberation after 90 minute hearing
Leniu’s defence calls for a four-game suspension
NRL pushes for at least an eight-game ban
Leniu clarifies hotel clash with Pat Carrigan
Leniu: ‘I didn’t mean it in a racial way’
NRL counsel produces Leniu-Luai gaffe
Opinion: Ezra was right to speak up, and so was Latrell
Pinned post from 8.30pm on Mar 11, 2024
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Leniu is suspended for eight games

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And deliberations have wrapped up after 40 minutes.

The panel issues Spencer Leniu an eight-game suspension for contrary conduct, making note of his remorse and attempts to apologise to Ezra Mam.

Spencer Leniu has been banned for two months.Wolter Peeters

It was a unanimous verdict from the panel, finding that he did intend to refer to Mam as a “monkey” in a racial context. Comparisons to Marcelo Montoya’s suspension for a homophobic slur were disregarded. The need for Leniu’s punishment to act as a strong deterrent was also taken into account.

He will not return until round 10, when the Roosters play the Warriors, missing a round 9 clash with the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium. Leniu shook the hands of each panellist and judiciary chairman Geoff Bellew on his way out of the hearing.

Pinned post from 5.28pm on Mar 11, 2024
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Poll: What suspension will Leniu be issued?

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Thanks all, that’s it for tonight

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And that’s all from Rugby League Central tonight.

Spencer Leniu has expressed genuine remorse and regret over his racial slur directed at Brisbane’s Ezra Mam and the Roosters say he will continue attempting to make an in-person apology to Mam when the time is right.

He did not speak to media tonight and will serve an eight-game ban, returning in round 10. Thanks for joining us.

Roosters boss Joe Kelly addresses the media

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Roosters CEO Joe Kelly has also delivered a statement and taken a few questions from the media. He says as soon as the club sat down with Spencer Leniu upon arriving back in Australia from Las Vegas, he was asked how he wanted to handle the incident and it’s fall-out.

“‘I want to get on a plane and apologise to Ezra’,” Kelly said Leniu’s response was.

And here’s the club’s statement.

“On behalf of Spencer and the Sydney Roosters we apologise unreservedly to Ezra and his family for the hurt that has been caused and we extend this apology to the wider Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community,” Roosters CEO Joe Kelly said.

“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.

Abdo: The learnings from this ‘sad event’

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NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo has just provided a lengthy statement to the media following Leniu’s suspension.

Racism and vilification have no place in modern society and will not be tolerated in rugby league.

Since 1908, when working class rugby league communities broke away to demand a fair go, this sport has been about bringing people together. Our game takes pride in being inclusive and in driving social change.

In 1960, Lionel Morgan was the first indigenous player to represent Australia in any sport, while Artie Beetson – an Immortal of our game – was the first indigenous man to captain an Australian national team when he led out the Kangaroos in 1973.

Artie Beetson with the 1977 World Cup.NRL Photos
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Pinned post from 8.30pm on Mar 11, 2024

Leniu is suspended for eight games

By

And deliberations have wrapped up after 40 minutes.

The panel issues Spencer Leniu an eight-game suspension for contrary conduct, making note of his remorse and attempts to apologise to Ezra Mam.

Spencer Leniu has been banned for two months.Wolter Peeters

It was a unanimous verdict from the panel, finding that he did intend to refer to Mam as a “monkey” in a racial context. Comparisons to Marcelo Montoya’s suspension for a homophobic slur were disregarded. The need for Leniu’s punishment to act as a strong deterrent was also taken into account.

He will not return until round 10, when the Roosters play the Warriors, missing a round 9 clash with the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium. Leniu shook the hands of each panellist and judiciary chairman Geoff Bellew on his way out of the hearing.

Deliberations pass the 30-minute mark

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Going on half an hour now as Leniu’s suspension length is weighed up. For those wondering what the NRL media does in this situations, it’s exactly what you think.

We catch up on paperwork, call the editor, miss deadlines, gossip, inhale whatever food is put in front of us and bully each other. Every major TV network is set up with microphones and cameras in case Spencer Leniu addresses the media on his way out.

Time for deliberation after 90 minute hearing

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And that’s all she wrote. Bellew has wrapped up his summary of the case, bringing us to a close after 90 minutes. Everyone in the room has filed out, led by NRL chief Andrew Abdo and Roosters coach Trent Robinson.

Judiciary panellists Bob Lindner and Sean Hampstead will now deliberate on the length of suspension. Chairman Geoff Bellew will act as the tiebreaker if they cannot agree on a punishment. Now we wait.

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Leniu’s counsel earns a rebuke from judiciary chairman

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A bit of argy bargy as we get toward closing submissions.

NRL counsel Lachlan Gyles takes issue with James McLeod’s conclusions, pointing out that any hint of racism being reduced by the fact it was said between one dark-skinned player and another, is in itself a racist notion.

McLeod interjects. And Bellew doesn’t mince words, telling him to bite his tongue as Gyles has his say. Gyles also takes issue with McLeod’s comparison to the four-game ban issued to Montoya for a homophobic slur in2022, saying the cases are inherently different.

McLeod is eventually given a chance to respond to Gyles’ contention and insists that any racial impact being lessoned was not his argument.

Leniu’s defence calls for a four-game suspension

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McLeod now presents the case for Leniu receiving a four-game suspension. Again, his remorse, apology, and regret at the hurt inflicted on Ezra Mam, his family and the Indigenous community.

McLeod says the panel’s verdict should be arrived at based on facts and evidence, “not media and commentary”.

He focuses on Leniu’s contention that there was no racial intent when he called him a monkey, and claims Leniu did not waiver when giving evidence on this.

Spencer Leniu and James McLeod (left).Wolter Peeters

“He was genuine and he was honest… he accepts it was a mistake,” McLeod says.

NRL pushes for at least an eight-game ban

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Gyles now puts to the judiciary panel that Leniu’s contention that he didn’t understand the racial connotations of the term ‘monkey’ could be a “convenient excuse”. Gyles references Andrew Symonds, Adam Goodes and scenes in European football where players are pelted with bananas as high-profile incidents that point to this.

“But he may not be aware of this,” Gyles says.

Adam Goodes stepped away from football due to the treatment he received.Sebastian Costanzo

Leniu’s remorse and judiciary record is noted by the NRL counsel, who also urges the panel to consider the impact on Ezra Mam and his family.

He references the contrary conduct charges and what that means in terms of “the spirit of the game”, pointing to the Roosters having an Indigenous player - George Green - way back in 1908 when rugby league first split from rugby union and was founded as an inclusive game for all.

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NRL’s cross-examination lasts only a few minutes

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NRL Counsel Lachlan Gyles is now cross-examining Leniu and is a tad incredulous when Leniu says he was not aware of previous sporting controversies around the term monkey or ape being used.

Gyles contends that Leniu intended to hurt and insult Mam by calling him a monkey. Leniu concedes he did so, but stresses, “not in a racist way”. Gyles questioning of Leniu lasts less than five minutes.

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