Leniu

[Rocky Rhodes]

Well it looks like her definitely said it, some footage has surfaced of him saying it and although there is no sound you can clearly see his saying “****ing monkey” and he didn’t even hide it.. seems to be yelling it.

https://youtu.be/4tQCBKStmEU?t=858

Unless u are a professional lip reader...i don't know how u can definitely interpret that. Problem is the media has subliminally put the words "****ing monkey" in peeps heads.

He could have said "F##king Run at me". The only thing definite is Spencer did say something whilst looking towards Ezra.

Anyways, innocent until proven guilty.

[Johnny73]

Direct quote from Daily Terror - "While the NRL has no issue with players voicing their support for Mam, they are concerned at comments from players in relation to Leniu’s guilt or innocence, as well as the length of any potential ban."

Then shut Latrell "slap on the wrist for handling unlicensed firearms" Mitchell up.

[Team Evil]

Unless u are a professional lip reader...i don't know how u can definitely interpret that. Problem is the media has subliminally put the words "****ing monkey" in peeps heads.

He could have said "F##king Run at me". The only thing definite is Spencer did say something whilst looking towards Ezra.

Anyways, innocent until proven guilty.

****ing run at me. This is something often said.
As I have said previously, in the words of V’Landys on game day he could not even hear the commentator sitting right next to him. He said the stadium was to noisy.

[Spirit of 66]

The Andrew Symonds “Monkeygate” incident is relevant here. You might recall an Indian cricketer being suspended for alleluia calling Symonds a monkey:

“In the immediate aftermath of the match, Mike Procter, the match referee, ruled at the end of a four-hour hearing that Harbhajan had breached Level 3 of the ICC's Code of Conduct and slapped the Indian off-spinner with a three-test ban.

"I am satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that Harbhajan Singh directed that word at Andrew Symonds and also that he meant it to offend on the basis of Symonds' race or ethnic origin,” said Procter, announcing the verdict.

However, the Indian team management, who were clearly unhappy with the verdict, initially threatened to pull out of the tour, before appealing against the ban. What followed was an official court hearing at Adelaide’s Federal Court building, with Ponting, Hayden and Clarke appearing as witnesses for Symonds, and Sachin appearing as the witness for Harbhajan Singh. Eventually, ICC appeals commissioner Justice John Hansen found Harbhajan ‘not guilty’ of racially abusing Symonds and thus, the three-match ban was overturned and the off-spinner was instead slapped with a 50% match fee fine.”

[SupermanSupportsEasts4Eva]

The Andrew Symonds “Monkeygate” incident is relevant here. You might recall an Indian cricketer being suspended for alleluia calling Symonds a monkey:

“In the immediate aftermath of the match, Mike Procter, the match referee, ruled at the end of a four-hour hearing that Harbhajan had breached Level 3 of the ICC's Code of Conduct and slapped the Indian off-spinner with a three-test ban.

"I am satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that Harbhajan Singh directed that word at Andrew Symonds and also that he meant it to offend on the basis of Symonds' race or ethnic origin,” said Procter, announcing the verdict.

However, the Indian team management, who were clearly unhappy with the verdict, initially threatened to pull out of the tour, before appealing against the ban. What followed was an official court hearing at Adelaide’s Federal Court building, with Ponting, Hayden and Clarke appearing as witnesses for Symonds, and Sachin appearing as the witness for Harbhajan Singh. Eventually, ICC appeals commissioner Justice John Hansen found Harbhajan ‘not guilty’ of racially abusing Symonds and thus, the three-match ban was overturned and the off-spinner was instead slapped with a 50% match fee fine.”

From what I've heard, Harbhajan didn't call Symonds a "Monkey."
The Aussies had been sledging Harbhajan and when Symonds said something while walking past inbetween overs, Harbhajan responded by abusing him in Hindi.
Harbhajan and Sachin both maintained that Symonds misunderstood this and thought he was called a "monkey, in English"
The other Aussie players backed up Symonds claim, regardless of the fact that Sachin, was the only player on the field who actually understood what Harbhajan had said.
What I found interesting was that Symonds and co had been sledging Harbhajan, yet when he finally retaliated, Symonds couldn't handle it. Abit like Man calling the riff boys coconuts in the Gf, but now having a cry when someone retaliates.

[milanja]

From what I've heard, Harbhajan didn't call Symonds a "Monkey."
The Aussies had been sledging Harbhajan and when Symonds said something while walking past inbetween overs, Harbhajan responded by abusing him in Hindi.
Harbhajan and Sachin both maintained that Symonds misunderstood this and thought he was called a "monkey, in English"
The other Aussie players backed up Symonds claim, regardless of the fact that Sachin, was the only player on the field who actually understood what Harbhajan had said.
What I found interesting was that Symonds and co had been sledging Harbhajan, yet when he finally retaliated, Symonds couldn't handle it. Abit like Man calling the riff boys coconuts in the Gf, but now having a cry when someone retaliates.

He called them coconuts Audibly and nothing was done about it? I don’t recall that or anything talked about it later?

[Jacks Fur Coat]

He called them coconuts Audibly and nothing was done about it? I don’t recall that or anything talked about it later?

No-one "complained" I guess. I think you can do pretty much anything nowadays as long as there haven't been any complaints...murder etc.

[Kelby]

Now if he says he directed his words to Billy Waters and said......................" Fa8king white monkey" would it be thrown out?

[Random Rooster]

Haha...never give an orator a platform if you might not like what you hear.

If I was his speech writer I'd slip him something like this..

" Rugby League is an incredibly inclusive game especially at the elite level, and proudly embraces a range of cultures and backgrounds. Young men and women are afforded some wonderful opportunities in our sport, unconditionally. If something goes wrong and offence is taken by an individual, that needs to be respected and listened to. That happened in our game in Vegas and Ezra made a decision to call this out. I completely respect his right to do this, and have the matter dealt with through the appropriate channels. Equally Spencer should be given the opportunity to state his case as well. The most important thing is we all learn from this, and move forward to honour our game and all the individuals involved in it. Overt racism is bad and we need to continue to take a mature educated response in our society to reject it. I think we also need to adopt a proportional response to comments said during a game in the heat of battle. Thats different from discriminating or persecuting someone due to their race. If we put them all in the same bucket I feel we cheapen the term racism and miss the real meaning of equality and inclusion in our society. We are desd serious at the Roosters about developing respectful young men and women, and will continue to learn and grow that culture to honour this great game and all its participants ".

That's pretty impressive Jack- i like your writing style!
I agree with most of what you wrote but i think the part that i highlighted has got a couple of grey areas. A racist comment on the football field is no different from a racist comment in society. If you have a different set of rules about what can be said on the field compared to what you can in society then that actually cheapens the term racism. If Spencer didn't say it then that's what he needs to tell the judiciary. If he did then own it.

[rented tracksuit]

Now if he says he directed his words to Billy Waters and said......................" Fa8king white monkey" would it be thrown out?

Not in England.

[Jacks Fur Coat]

That's pretty impressive Jack- i like your writing style!
I agree with most of what you wrote but i think the part that i highlighted has got a couple of grey areas. A racist comment on the football field is no different from a racist comment in society. If you have a different set of rules about what can be said on the field compared to what you can in society then that actually cheapens the term racism. If Spencer didn't say it then that's what he needs to tell the judiciary. If he did then own it.

Thanks mate, I have Spin Doctor written on my CV after penning some speeches for pollies in a previous life. If you can make THEM sound ok, you can prosecute anything.

Yeah Robbo would never say some of that, and probably wouldn't agree anyway. It would take some courage.

Fundamentally I think we diasagree that there can be 'degrees' of racism. I think the key gets back to intent...was it designed to hurt another person? I'm sure Spencer would have happily shook Ezras hand post match and forgot all about it...but it takes two to tango.

As an example, a large group of people shouting "wheres the Jews" in a public space was obviously done to cause psychological/emotional distress to a group of people. Likely physical harm too given the opportunity.

That's a world away from calling someone a Monkey on a footy field in retaliation for 'something' that hasn't yet been published. Hence my use of the term 'proportional'.

[Johnny73]

Not in England.

Because he'd be Kerr's Cur.

[JAF]

Here's a potential scenario: if Spencer called Mam a "monkey" in retaliation for him being called a "coconut", would it be fair that BOTH are charged and that both will receive the SAME penalty??

[JAF]

I'm not a fan of Bennett but I have to agree on this article:

Wayne Bennett rejects allegations that rugby league has a racism issue

Wayne Bennett has brushed off allegations that rugby league has a racism problem as ‘bullsh*t’ promoted by drama queens while dismissing calls for a hefty penalty to be imposed on Spencer Leniu.

Travis Meyn and Peter Badel
March 7, 2024 - 12:00PMNews Corp Australia Sports Newsroom

Wayne Bennett has come out swinging on the Ezra Mam-Spencer Leniu saga, insisting the sport is not racist and calling for the “drama queens to stay out of the argument”.

One of the code’s most powerful voices, Bennett has broken his silence on the ‘Monkey-gate’ affair as Roosters prop Leniu prepares to defend allegations of a racist slur at the NRL judiciary next week.

Leniu could face up to eight weeks on the sidelines if found guilty of allegedly calling Mam a “monkey”, with Souths superstar and proud Indigenous icon Latrell Mitchell calling for the Roosters enforcer to be suspended for three months or more.

But Bennett, who has coached some of the code’s greatest Indigenous athletes, including Mitchell, Steve Renouf and Wendell Sailor, called for calm and common sense over the Leniu-Mam firestorm.
Rugby league legend Wayne Bennett has dismissed allegations that rugby league has a racism problem. Picture: NRL Imagery
“We are not a racist game,” Bennett said.

“The game doesn’t have to take a strong stand on this. The game has always taken a stand on racism. It’s bulls*** to think otherwise.

“We don’t tolerate racism in our game and we have always included all races – we can all be one in rugby league.

“It happens very irregularly in our game.

“I am proud of the game and I am proud of the way we as clubs conduct ourselves, regardless of what race you are.

“All the drama queens should stay out of the argument.”

Bennett made it clear he does not condone racism in any walk of life.

Asked what suspension the NRL should dish out to Leniu if he is found guilty of racially abusing Mam, the Dolphins super coach was unequivocal.

“The game has to handle this in the manner they handle any other situation that’s thrown at it,” Bennett said.

“The NRL may have to come up with a penalty, but if he is found guilty, I don’t believe it should be an overkill penalty.

“It should be a fair and reasonable penalty and we all move on.

“We have all been in a situation where we have said something we regret, including the very people now calling for blood.

“We have all been guilty of saying something silly.

“He (Leniu) can’t take it back and it’s been said.

“The Roosters guy is of Polynesian descent.

“But the game has acted the way it should do, it got reported and the game will deal with it.”

Bennett says Mam would not be the only Bronco to have been the victim of a racial slur, revealing he has supported Brisbane’s Indigenous legends Renouf, Sailor and Thaiday through difficult periods in their careers.

“Of course you feel for players who are racially abused,” he said.

“It hurts them.

“I’ve had guys like Steve Renouf, Wendell Sailor and Sam Thaiday, great Indigenous players I coached, they copped their share and they went through it.

“They will always remember their slurs, but we protected and supported them as much as we could.

“Our game is not racist, it never has been. When you look back over the history of our game, it’s not something that has been a major issue with us.

“We have some wonderful Indigenous players and they have been treated as well as anyone in the team.

“Arthur Beetson played our game and he was Australian sport’s first indigenous captain. He could not have got any more accolades in his life, so don’t tell me rugby league doesn’t act on racism.

“In this case, it’s one word against another, it’s a tough one, so I’ll leave it to the NRL.”

[rented tracksuit]

Because he'd be Kerr's Cur.

I’m really frustrated at the level of support being shown for Kerr but not for Spencer.

Channel Nein this morning praising her saying how it’s racist, but not really racist. Wtf, seriously? So if it’s said to a coloured person, the world ends but if it’s said to a white personal, it’s not really racist?

Isn't dismissing the gravity of the comment based on colour the very intent of racism?