Sydney Roosters forward Spencer Leniu has pleaded guilty to a contrary conduct charge, after an alleged racial slur against Brisbane Broncos rival Ezra Mam in their NRL season-opener.
The Auckland-born Samoan international landed in hot water, when he was reported to call Mam a "monkey" during their Las Vegas encounter, which was also his debut for the Sydney club, after back-to-back-to-back championships with Penrith Panthers.
Initially, he shrugged off the accusations, claiming "it's all fun and games on the field, I'm not worried at all", but has backtracked in subsequent days, with the Roosters announcing his decision to admit the charge.
"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," said Leniu, 23. "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."
In return, the Broncos have acknowledge Leniu's admission and repeated the belief that racism has no place in society.
"Spencer has been completely open and honest throughout this process, and we will continue to support him," said Roosters chief executive Joe Kelly.
"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."
In 2018, Kiwi NBA basketball Steven Adams also earned rebuke, after referring to Golden State Warriors guards as "quick little monkeys".
"It was a poor choice of words, mate," he told USA Today. "I wasn't thinking straight.
"I didn't know it was going to upset anyone, but I'm truly sorry. It was a poor choice of words.
"I was just trying to express how difficult it was chasing those guys around."
