UPDATED: Brisbane has responded to the apology from Roosters prop Spencer Leniu towards Ezra Mam, with the enforcer pleading guilty to using a racist slur against the young Broncos playmaker.
The 23-year-old has been ordered to face the NRL judiciary to answer a contrary conduct charge over allegations he labelled Mam a “monkey” during the second game in Las Vegas on Sunday afternoon (AEDT).
Leniu has never denied he made the comment, and on Thursday his club issued a statement on his behalf.
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”I want to apologise to Ezra and his family for using the word I did and I am sincerely sorry to cause him such distress,” Leniu said.
“I’ve put my hand up and want to take ownership of this.
“I said the word but I didn’t mean it in a racist way. Anyone who knows me knows that’s not who I am.”
Brisbane has since released a statement responding to Leniu’s apology.
“The Broncos acknowledge Spencer’s apology to Ezra and the importance of taking that step … there is no place for racism in our game or in our society,” it said.
“The club respects the NRL judiciary process that is still to play out and we will make no further comment on that.
“Ezra’s wellbeing has been our primary concern from the start. He has been well-supported within our club and we will continue to focus on that in the time ahead.”
Leniu’s hearing has been confirmed for Monday evening, with the Samoan international and his new club facing a nervous wait.
The star 2024 recruit had shown no remorse over the incident on Sunday and attempted to play the comment off as “banter”, before inviting Broncos players to have it out with him in the Vegas hotel.
That offer was accepted and he was confronted by several Brisbane players later that night in the hotel corridor.
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Upon landing in Sydney two days later Leniu had clearly been advised to keep his mouth shut and offered a “no comment” to reporters.
Proud Indigenous superstar Latrell Mitchell is among those calling for a long ban for Leniu, asking for more than half the NRL season to be served on the sidelines.
It would be a bitter blow for the Roosters who signed the prop from reigning champions Penrith, and had designs on Leniu filling the shoes of Kiwi veteran Jared Waerea-Hagreaves.
”Spencer has been completely open and honest throughout this process, and we will continue to support him,” Roosters CEO Joe Kelly said on Thursday.
“We extend our deepest apologies to Ezra, his family and the wider Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and offer our support to all parties during this time.
“We respect the judiciary process. Accordingly, the club will not be making any further comment prior to the hearing.”
Several Broncos players had been expected to testify against Leniu at the judiciary hearing but are unlikely to be required due to Leniu’s guilty plea.