South Sydney and the ARL Commission have raised serious concerns about media coverage of Latrell Mitchell, with fears there are racist undertones to some of the reporting.
Souths chief executive Blake Solly has expressed his thoughts to this column, while at least one member of the ARLC has made their views known to the NRL.
The club has banned Mitchell from talking to the media, and this may be why.
South Sydney’s critics will say this is an attempt to divert attention from their horrendous run, which has produced just four wins in 16 games. Their only wins since round 12 last year have been against the Warriors, Wests Tigers, the Titans and Dragons.
Mitchell has been under intense scrutiny – much of it caused by his call for a long ban for Spencer Leniu following his racial slur of Ezra Mam in the Roosters’ season opener against Brisbane. That scrutiny grew after Mitchell’s expletive-laden interview with Triple M following the Rabbitohs’ loss to Brisbane in round two.
Solly has stood beside Mitchell through this and other race-related issues. He is disgusted with sections of the media for their coverage. I have been told by sources with knowledge of the situation, who did not want to speak publicly, that the reporting has earned the ire of at least one ARL commissioner, who has complained.
“We’re not blaming anyone – Latrell’s the first to accept criticism if his form is down and he owns his mistakes – but the suggestion he or other players are treated preferentially by the NRL because they are Indigenous is nonsense,” Solly said.
South Sydney are angry about media coverage of Latrell Mitchell. Credit: NRL Photos
“Our view is not a new one: I’ve expressed my concerns with how some sections of the media have covered not just Latrell, but Cody [Walker], Nicho [Hynes] and anyone who has backed Ezra. The NRL knows who has said what. I don’t need to explain it to anyone who watches the game.”
Rabbitohs rage about Mitchell coverage
6
13
23.03.2024
South Sydney and the ARL Commission have raised serious concerns about media coverage of Latrell Mitchell, with fears there are racist undertones to some of the reporting.
Souths chief executive Blake Solly has expressed his thoughts to this column, while at least one member of the ARLC has made their views known to the NRL.
The club has banned Mitchell from talking to the media, and this may be why.
South Sydney’s critics will say this is an attempt to divert attention from........
© The Sydney Morning Herald
visit website
login
who are we?
contact us
qosheapp
Toi Staff
Gideon Levy
Belen Fernandez
Andrew Mitrovica
Mort Laitner
Rami G Khouri
Ali Fathollah-Nejad
Nikkei Editorial
