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UPDATED: Sydney Roosters prop Spencer Leniu has been referred straight to the NRL judiciary for contrary conduct.
The star recruit made alleged racially motivated comments against Broncos player Ezra Mam in their Las Vegas season opener on Sunday.
Broncos players allege Leniu called Mam a “monkey”.
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According to a report from The Sydney Morning Herald, Leniu will now front a judiciary hearing to plead his case and a determine a suitable penalty.
He was placed on report by referee Adam Gee during the second of two NRL fixtures on Sunday afternoon (AEDT), following a heated on-field incident that left Mam emotional and reportedly in tears.
Mam and his teammates were heard yelling on the field that the front-rower called the five-eighth a “monkey”.
Post-match, Leniu was questioned on the alleged comments by Triple M.
“I think it’s all fun and games when we’re on the field. That’s it,” he told Triple M.
When asked if he’s worried about the likely fall out from the alleged incident, Leniu remained coy.
“Not worried at all,” he said.
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Two years ago, Marcelo Montoya was suspended for four matches after being found guilty of using a homophobic slur, while three years ago Mitch Barnett escaped sanction after an alleged racial incident with Tyrone Peachey due to a lack of evidence.
Sunday’s win over Brisbane was Leniu’s first game for the Roosters, having left the Panthers after last year’s grand final win over the Broncos.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson offered limited comment on the incident after the game.
“I can’t have any opinion on it, I don’t know what happened,” Robinson said post match.
Told in the press conference that Mam was adamant the comment had been made, Robinson said: “That doesn’t mean it’s right, he obviously made the complaint but that doesn’t mean it’s right, it will go through the formal process as it should.”
The coach added he hadn’t spoken to Leniu about the specific incident.
The Roosters held on for an 20-10 win over last year’s grand finalists.
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