Spencer Leniu has apologised to Ezra Mam, whom he admits he
Sydney Roosters recruit Leniu has pleaded guilty to contrary conduct ahead of his NRL judiciary hearing next week and is likely to receive a long suspension.
Leniu was placed on report after the Kuku Yalanji and Torres Strait Islander man Mam told referee Adam Gee that he had been called a “monkey”.
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.
Spencer Leniu
Using the word ape or monkey to describe Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
However, Leniu maintains he did not mean to use the word monkey “in a racist way”.
“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,” he said.
Source Agencies
