The Australian Rugby League Indigenous Council (ARLIC) has released a statement supporting Latrell Mitchell and his family after it was revealed his partner had received racist abuse on social media in the fallout from the South Sydney star’s controversial hit on Roosters centre Joseph Manu.
Manu had to have surgery on his broken face after Mitchell’s brutal tackle, which earned the Rabbitoh a six-week suspension, ending his season prematurely.
Last week Mitchell’s partner, Brielle Mercy, shared some of the vile racist abuse she has received on her Instagram account following the incident in the Roosters v Rabbitohs game.
That prompted the ARLIC to release a statement supporting Mitchell and his family and urged his work in Indigenous communities be celebrated.
“The ARLIC stands strongly beside any player or family member who is targeted by racist abuse,” the statement read.
“Latrell Mitchell’s standing as an Indigenous rugby league player is incredibly significant and the work he carries out to educate and empower Indigenous communities is vital.
“That work should be celebrated – not make him and his family a target for abuse.
“We will continue to support Latrell, other players and their families who call out abuse, and condemn all forms of racism.”
Mitchell went to the police in the past when he has copped racist attacks online, and South Sydney told The Sydney Morning Herald earlier this week that they would support his family in reporting online abuse to the police.
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