‘Will be a turning point’: Latrell banned over white powder photo as Souths respond

Latrell Mitchell has received a one-game suspension and fined $20,000 over a leaked photo of the Rabbitohs star leaning over a white substance.

The club has additionally fined him $100,000 — with $80,000 suspended “pending any further breach of his playing contract or wellbeing program.”

The NRL released a statement on Thursday confirming Mitchell’s punishment for an act which “brough the game into disrepute.”

“The National Rugby League (NRL) has made a final determination following an Integrity Unit investigation into the actions of South Sydney Rabbitohs player Latrell Mitchell,” the statement read.

“The NRL can confirm that Mitchell will be suspended for one (1) Match, issued with a $20,000 fine, and required to undertake appropriate training, education and remediation.

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“The particulars of the breach notice were that Mitchell featured in imagery, which emerged publicly on 12 August 2024, that depicted him acting in a manner which has brought the game into disrepute.

“The suspension is to be served once the Player is fit and available to return from injury.”

Key to Mitchell’s suspension is the NRL stating it must be served when he is not injured. The 27-year-old hasn’t played since Round 18 due to a foot injury.

However, interim coach Ben Hornby recently said Mitchell had been granted leave for the remainder of the season following the off-field incident.

It’s unclear at this stage whether Mitchell will be allowed to serve his suspension in the final two rounds of this season or not.

The Rabbitohs also released a statement on Thursday confirming the NRL’s actions and also its own sanction for Mitchell.

On top of the fine issued by the Rabbitohs, Mitchell must show “full commitment to a wellbeing program.”

Rabbitohs CEO Blake Solly believes this will be a “turning point” for Mitchell, who is one of the biggest stars of the game.

“This has been a very challenging time for everyone at South Sydney, including staff and management, coaches, players, Members, supporters, and Latrell himself,” he said.

“Most importantly, it has been very difficult for his family. This is not lost on Latrell. He has shown great remorse and given us a solid commitment to improve himself, make better decisions, and to work towards becoming the best dad he can be to his children, the best partner he can be to Brielle, and the player he can be for the Rabbitohs.”

“He has taken full responsibility for his decisions and his actions.

“I, along with the Board and management, are confident that this will be a turning point for Latrell and that he will make better decisions in the future. We are committed to helping him do that.”

It comes after, Mitchell sat down with Rabbitohs powerbrokers earlier this week to affirm his commitment to the club after he was photographed standing over a white substance, with the image reportedly taken following a women’s coaching clinic in Dubbo.

The Rabbitohs will also reportedly dish out a monetary penalty of their own.

The club has the ability to hand down a $250,000 penalty under terms in his contract, however it is understood the club sanction fine won’t come close to that amount.

Speaking to Fox League’s NRL 360 on Wednesday, reporter James Hooper revealed the NRL would release its punishment for Mitchell within the next 24 hours but called out South Sydney for failing to address the matter publicly.

“The silence has been deafening from South Sydney,” Hooper said.

“I actually think it’s quite damning.

“Where I think (Rabbitohs chief executive) Blake Solly has been badly exposed here is the fact that he’s gone under the doona and we haven’t seen or heard from anybody.

“We’re now up to day 16 of this Latrell Mitchell case. He has brought the game into disrepute, the photograph has brought the game into disrepute, and the silence is still ongoing.

“Blake is trying to hide behind red tape, employing some diversion tactics saying, ‘We’ve got to wait from the NRL, we can’t do this, we can’t do that.’ That’s garbage.”

Mitchell, currently sidelined due to a Lisfranc injury, has only played 11 games for the Rabbitohs this season.

While initial fears were his season was over, the New South Wales representative reportedly could’ve been fit to return to close out this season — until Hornby confirmed he was granted leave for the rest of the season.

“If it going to be this year (the ban is served) then Souths medical team will have to provide documented evidence that Latrell is fit, and that he would be available to play in Round 27 for it be served this year,” Hooper explained“

Former Australian representative Braith Anasta continued: “It doesn’t look like he’s playing anytime soon at the moment looking at the footage.”

Meanwhile, Hooper brushed aside comments from the RLPA claiming it doesn’t matter whether Mitchell trains or not.

“The NRL can adjudicate, given the circumstances, on what they feel is a fair and reasonable punishment,” Hooper said.

“Of course it matters if he trains, If he can’t train, he can’t play.”

Broncos great Gorden Tallis said it could open up “Pandora’s box” if players were allowed to serve suspensions while injured.