Ezra Mam allegedly racially abused by Spencer Leniu during NRL Las Vegas match between Sydney Roosters and Brisbane Broncos | Only Sports And Health

The NRL’s Las Vegas extravaganza has been marred after a footy star was allegedly the victim of racist abuse from another player on Sunday.

According to News Corp, Spencer Leniu, of the Sydney Roosters, allegedly labelled Brisbane rival Ezra Mam ‘a monkey’ during his side’s victory over Brisbane at Allegiant Stadium. 

The Broncos young gun made a mid-match complaint against Leniu and was ‘adamant’ that the former Penrith star a comment that was ‘racial in nature’.

The incident led to a melee between the two sets of players as the Roosters led 14-10 during the second half.

‘Things are getting a little heated here in the middle. It’s Spencer Leniu who Lindsay Collins has just taken to the back to calm down,’ Mick Ennis said on Fox Sport’s coverage of the big game. 

Brisbane Broncos star Ezra Mam was allegedly racially abused in Las Vegas

Spencer Leniu is accused of calling the Broncos gun ‘a monkey’ during their match

‘If he’s not careful, Spencer Leniu, he might get the disappearing act.’

Following the melee, referee Adam Gee called Brisbane captain Adam Reynolds and his Roosters counterpart James Tedesco over. 

‘Ezra has made a formal complaint that’s racial in nature against Spencer, I haven’t heard it, the incident goes on report and it will be dealt with after, that’s where it’s left,’ Gee said. 

Jonathan Thurston said on Nine that Mam was left in tears after the incident, adding ‘we’ve had two cracking games of footy and now we have to deal with this.’ 

Leniu was asked about the accusation after the Roosters’ 20-10 victory, but appeared to shrug off the allegation. 

‘Nah nothing, it’s just all fun and games when we’re on the field,’ Leniu said.

When asked if he is concerned about a possible sanction heading his way, he said: ‘Not worried at all’.

Broncos coach Kevin Walters says Mam is ‘adamant’ he heard what he alleges was said

Brisbane coach Kevin Walters said emotions were high in the Broncos locker room.

‘He’s pretty upset… but we’ll leave that in the hands of the NRL to police and adjudicate on but we certainly support Ezra and our player and everything that’s around that,’ Walters said. 

‘He’s adamant (it was said). But we’ll leave it with the NRL, they’re looking at it. I won’t be making any more comment on it other than that we’re supporting our player and rightly so.

‘Certainly I am (upset). We don’t (condone it) in our club, certainly, but again it’s not our doing and we won’t take any more questions except we support Ezra in every way.’