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Andrew Abdo has denied giving Latrell Mitchell special treatment by meeting with the South Sydney fullback rather than imposing a sanction following his profane radio interview.
The NRL chief executive said it was “bold” to suggest the league was afraid to fine Mitchell for his comments, and that he “wouldn’t be doing his job” if he did not meet with star players regularly.
Mitchell raised eyebrows with a Triple M radio cross on Thursday night, saying “f***” four times and that he didn’t “care if I’m swearing” as he reflected on the Rabbitohs’ 28-18 loss to Brisbane.
The incident has drawn extra attention to an underperforming Rabbitohs side, with Mitchell’s captain downplaying the severity of the comments when quizzed on Monday.
“I’m sure if Latrell had his time over again he’d be a bit more selective with his words, but that’s what happens when you grab someone 30 seconds after a game,” Cameron Murray said.
Mitchell said on Instagram: “There was no intent, no malice, let’s move on.”
The NRL has been reluctant to sanction Mitchell, one of the game’s most marketable and high-profile players, with Abdo instead committing to meeting the Souths fullback.
Brisbane great Corey Parker questioned the tactic on radio on Monday, and Canterbury football boss Phil Gould also claimed on Channel Nine that the fullback had become “bigger” than those in charge.
But Abdo rejected suggestions that Mitchell was being given preferential treatment by having a meeting organised.
“I think it’s important to note that I will always catch up with a player,” he said at the launch of the NRL’s Multicultural Round.
“There’s always been an open invitation to catch up with any player or official in the game from time to time on a range of matters.
“We have a number of high-profile players and Latrell is one of them.
“He’s a role model, he’s a leader, and if there’s an opportunity to engage with him and work with him on a range of issues confronting the game, then I wouldn’t be doing my job if I wasn’t doing that.”
Abdo bristled at suggestions the NRL was afraid to sanction Mitchell.
“That’s quite a bold statement to make and we’ve proven over the past that when a player breaches the rules and we believe it warrants a breach action, we take it,” he said.
“Equally, we’ve been accused of being too harsh on players.
“Everyone will have their view on that. I’m really comfortable with where this sits, and I’m comfortable with the action that we’re taking at the moment.”
Abdo was quick to highlight that fellow players Brandon Smith and Toby Rudolf were investigated and also not fined for their own controversial media comments in the past.
Smith repeatedly swore in an interview with the YKTR Podcast in 2021, and Rudolf caused a stir for saying he would buy “1,000 beers” and “try and pull something” at a bar when he spoke to Fox Sports about a win that season.
“This is consistent with how we’ve dealt players before,” Abdo said.
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