Anthony Mundine makes the shocking claim that Spencer Leniu was NOT being racist when he
- Roosters star has admitted targeting Bronco with abuse
- Is now likely to be hit with a long ban from the game
- Footy star turned boxer Mundine has controversial take
Indigenous footy and boxing great Anthony Mundine believes Spencer Leniu was not being racist when he called Ezra Mam a ‘monkey’ – and told the Broncos star he needs to ‘toughen up’.
Leniu is poised for a long suspension after admitting he targeted Ezra Mam with a racial slur during the NRL‘s opening round in Las Vegas.
The Sydney Roosters prop pleaded guilty to contrary conduct and apologised to the Brisbane five-eighth in a statement on Thursday, the first time the Roosters had formally addressed the matter.
Mundine made his bombshell statement in an Instagram video he posted on Friday.
‘It ain’t racism,’ the former Dragons and Broncos star said.
‘When two brothers are brown or black fellas they … call each other a black C or this or that but that’s what they are.
‘It’s like an African American and another African American calling each other the N word.
‘I think they ought to toughen up in that sense … a white fella saying that to a black fella, that’s a different story.
‘You have to take it on the chin. It’s what we [Indigenous Australians] have done all our lives.’
Leniu claimed he did not intend to racially vilify the Indigenous 21-year-old by calling him a ‘monkey’ mid-game at Allegiant Stadium on Saturday night (Sunday AEDT).
Leniu is in line to cop a long ban after admitting to the vile slur against Ezra Mam during the Roosters’ win over Brisbane in Las Vegas
Former Dragons and Broncos star turned boxer Anthony Mundine believes there’s no way Leniu’s remark should be considered racist
Mam made an official on-field complaint to referee Adam Gee after Leniu targeted him during a scuffle late in the Roosters’ 20-10 win.
Leniu was placed on report and later referred directly to the NRL judiciary, with a hearing set for Monday night.
The NRL has so far been unable to source audio of the slur but Broncos players are expected to testify when Leniu fronts the panel.
The Roosters recruit initially downplayed the incident when quizzed by broadcast media after the match, saying the tensions between the sides had been ‘fun and games’.
Those comments drew the ire of Indigenous players including Kotoni Staggs and Latrell Mitchell, and Leniu has since indicated his remorse.
‘I want to apologise to Ezra and his family for using the word I did and I am sincerely sorry to cause him such distress,” Leniu said in a statement.
Mundine told Mam (pictured during the Vegas Roosters match) to ‘toughen up’ and ‘take it on the chin’ after he copped the abuse last Sunday
‘I’ve put my hand up and want to take ownership of this. I said the word but I didn’t mean it in a racist way. Anyone who knows me knows that’s not who I am.’
The Broncos have backed Mam’s version of events throughout the ordeal and released their own statement in reply to Leniu on Thursday.
‘The Broncos acknowledge Spencer’s apology to Ezra and the importance of taking that step. There is no place for racism in our game or in our society,’ the statement read.
‘The club respects the NRL judiciary process that is still to play out and we will make no further comment on that.
‘Ezra’s wellbeing has been our primary concern from the start. He has been well supported within our club and we will continue to focus on that in the time ahead.’