Australian rugby league star accuses rival of using racist slur

Indigenous Australian rugby league star Ezra Mam has accused rival player Spencer Leniu of using a racial slur against him during a game in Las Vegas.

Mam claims Leniu called him a “monkey.”

After the match, Leniu dismissed the complaint, stating that “nothing” happened and that it was all part of the game.

While racist incidents from crowds are not uncommon in Australian sports, conflicts between players are rare.

The National Rugby League (NRL) is investigating Mam’s claim, which has cast a shadow over the start of the season.

The match took place at Allegiant Stadium, the same venue as last month’s Super Bowl, as part of a round aimed at attracting a US audience to Australia’s top-tier competition.

During the game, Mam reported the alleged slur to the referee, with another teammate backing his accusation.

Although the referee didn’t hear the language, he filed a formal complaint at Mam’s request.

Leniu, a Samoa Test representative, faces charges under the NRL’s behaviour code and will appear before a judiciary panel, which has the authority to levy fines and impose match bans based on the evidence presented.