Spencer Leniu, a forward for the Roosters, pleaded early guilty to the contrary conduct charge he was given after it was alleged he made a racist slur on Broncos five-eighth Ezra Mam.
Following the incident, Leniu was referred directly to the NRL Judiciary. The Roosters announced on Thursday that Leniu would enter a guilty plea to the charge.
Leniu added, “I want to sincerely apologize to Ezra and his family for causing him such distress and for using the word I did.”
“I’ve raised my hand and want to accept responsibility for this. I didn’t mean to sound racist when I said the word. That isn’t who I am, as everyone who knows me would attest.”
After Mam made the accusation against the Roosters prop, referee Adam Gee placed Leniu under investigation during the 69th minute of play at Allegiant Stadium.
Leniu was then accused of engaging in contrary behavior. On Monday night, at 6:15 p.m., the NRL Judiciary will hear his case.
“We extend our deepest apologies to Ezra, his family and the wider Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and offer our support to all parties during this time,” Joe Kelly, the CEO of the Roosters, stated.
“We will continue to support Spencer, who has been completely honest and open throughout this process.”
The Broncos released a statement in which they acknowledged the significance of Leniu’s apologies to Mam.
The statement read, “Racism has no place in our game or in our society.” From the beginning, our top priority has been Ezra’s welfare. We shall keep our attention on the fact that he has received strong support from our club in the near future.”
In the 46th minute of that game, Broncos fullback Reece Walsh took a shot at Roosters winger Daniel Tupou and pled guilty to a Grade 1 Shoulder Charge offense.
Walsh, who pleaded guilty early on to the accusation of his second offense, was fined $3000.
After the Round 1 games in Las Vegas, Rabbitoh Jai Arrow (Crusher Tackle) and Sea Eagle Nathan Brown (Careless High Tackle) were the other players assessed fines.
After pleading guilty early, Arrow was fined $1000, while Brown was fined $1800.
Star winger Maika Sivo was suspended for a Grade 2 Careless High Tackle during the Pre-Season Challenge, thus he will miss the Eels’ first three games.
After hitting Titans center AJ Brimson, Sivo submitted a guilty plea for the third and subsequent offense of that type and agreed to a three-game punishment.
