Spencer Leniu will learn his fate with the NRL judicary on Monday night meeting to determine his penalty for calling Broncos five-eighth Ezra Mam a “monkey”.
The Roosters prop will front the judiciary but Mam won’t be in attendance at the hearing and he instead submitted a pre-written statement as evidence.
Mam wished to keep part of it confidential due to the sensitivity. Some of the statement, however, was read out.
Mam recalled how Leniu tackled Payne Haas before the incident.
“I recall saying words to the effect of ‘run it back at Spencer’ (to Haas), I then recall Spencer saying words ‘f**k up you monkey’… I saw red after that… I was so angry that my mind was no longer focused on the game,” Mam’s statement read.
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Fellow Broncos Payne Haas and Billy Walters have also reportedly provided written statements.
Speaking on the Big Sports Breakfast, Veteran rugby league reporter Phil Rothfield shed light on Leniu’s hearing and suggested a ban of “four to six weeks” could be handed down.
Rothfield also questioned some of the public debate happening about the saga.
“To call a player a monkey is so out of order and I can’t believe some of the commentary, particularly from Anthony Mundine… I think it’s very disappointing,” he said.
“But I was told over the weekend that a Broncos player may have said something to Leniu that triggered the brain explosion.
“Now no one will confirm that it happened and Leniu has shown great remorse, offering to get on a plane and go to Brisbane to do a face-to-face apology.
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Mam rejects Leniu olive branch | 01:36
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“But there’s all this hearsay we need to get to the bottom of at this very important judiciary hearing, there’s no doubt about his guilt. He’s admitted to saying the word.
“We are then looking at a punishment… I am thinking probably four to six weeks would be a fair outcome.
“I’d also like to see him undertake some sort of course in Indigenous issues and why what he said was so hurtful to Ezra Mam.”
Leniu’s admission of guilt means only the length of suspension and potential amount of his fine are up for debate on Monday night.
He will reportedly be represented by a club legal team, coming up against judiciary chairman Geoff Bellew.
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Source Agencies
