‘Disgusting abuse’: Latrell targeted in vile attacks as PVL warning falls on deaf ears — Crawls

Some of the disgusting online abuse directed at Latrell Mitchell in the wake of his cruel pre-season injury on Wednesday is not okay.

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I’m all for the right to freedom of speech.

But it’s a sad indictment on some sections of modern social media that so many so-called rugby league fans could take such great delight in rejoicing the injury to South Sydney’s superstar fullback.

Within moments of the breaking news that Mitchell had suffered a hamstring injury that is likely to rule him out for the start of the NRL season, the pile on from some of the keyboard warriors out there on various platforms was repulsive, if not surprising.

“Think it’s called a heartlidge not a hamstring,” wrote Maria on one website.

“Latrell bunging it on again, highest paid non starter in the league,” wrote another.

“Here we go again with Mitchell. Maybe he will play a few games.”

“Murray will be sorely missed. At least Mitchell can’t go missing in action if he isn’t in the action,” said another.

The irony is it was only just over a week ago that ARLC Chairman Peter V’landys issued a public warning over the dangers of social media bullying aimed at the game’s highest profile players including Latrell, Reece Walsh and Nathan Cleary.

V’landys said at the time he would do everything in his power to ensure the players were not driven out of the sport by relentless attacks.

“Latrell Mitchell is one of the great players in the game and we want him here in our game,” V’landys told News Corp.

“We want him at his best. We can’t forget he is human at the end of the day.”

But it seems the message fell on deaf ears judging by so many callous comments.

“So the media’s superstar and role model is injured again. Cut him loose,” declared Nick.

“Only Cameron will be missed,” added another.

“Mitchell has become a joke.”

“Rumour has it that a Mr Whippy van started up it’s music at it went past the ground and Latrell broke stride and tore his hammy.”

Seriously, as one punter said on Fox League: “I can’t believe how people laugh at these injuries no matter how much you dislike a player … be better and classy for once. I can’t stand bunnies but injury to any player is devastating.”

There is no doubt Latrell has played some part in making himself such a polarising figure within the rugby league community over the years.

But in this instance, the abuse is just unacceptable.

How don’t some people get it: he was an innocent victim of the type of rotten luck that can happen to any player.

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