Sydney Roosters Forward Suspended for Racial Slur
Sydney Roosters forward Spencer Leniu has been suspended for eight matches after being found guilty of using a racial slur against Indigenous Australian rugby league player Ezra Mam. The incident occurred during a game in Las Vegas earlier this month, where Leniu referred to Mam as a “monkey.”
Leniu pleaded guilty to the charge and apologized to Mam, who released a statement expressing his anger and disappointment over the racial slur. Leniu described the incident as “a little bit of banter,” but the judiciary panel rejected his argument that he did not know the significance of his slur.
Roosters CEO Joe Kelly believes that Leniu did not use the word in a racially derogatory way, but the team has announced that they will undergo education about Indigenous and Torres Strait Island cultures in light of the incident.
Both Leniu and the team were offered a chance to comment on the suspension, but they have not responded. Mam’s statement highlighted the impact of racial slurs in sport and the importance of addressing such behavior.
The suspension serves as a reminder of the ongoing need to combat racism in sports and ensure that all athletes are treated with respect and dignity. Forever Sports Online is committed to promoting inclusivity and diversity in sports and will continue to report on efforts to address discrimination within the sporting community.
