CNN —Sydney Roosters forward Spencer Leniu has been given an eight-match suspension after being found guilty of using a racial slur towards an Indigenous Australian rugby league player during a match.
The National Rugby League (NRL) announced on Monday that a judiciary panel had found that Leniu had referred to Brisbane Broncos’ Ezra Mam as a “monkey” in a game in Las Vegas earlier this month.
Leniu was charged with contrary conduct after the two teams faced off in the US and following a complaint from Mam.
While giving evidence, Leniu said that he had wanted to travel to apologize to Mam – a Torres Strait Islander – in person, but the Broncos’ five-eighth rejected his approach.
In no way did he mean to direct this term to Ezra in a racial way.
Persons:
Spencer Leniu, Leniu, Ezra Mam, Mam, “, Ezra, ”, Mam –, ” Mam, David Becker, Joe Kelly, Spencer, “ Spencer, He’s, ” Kelly, CNN’s Ben Church
Organizations:
CNN — Sydney Roosters, Indigenous Australian rugby, National Rugby League, Brisbane Broncos, Broncos, Nine News, Roosters, Aboriginal, CNN
Locations:
Las Vegas, Torres