Racism victim Sam Thaiday says he feels sorry for the junior rugby league player believed to have aimed a bigoted slur against his Broncos teammate Ben Barba on social media.
An 18-year-old Canterbury fan sparked an Instagram row with Barba last Friday – the night the fullback made his Brisbane NRL debut against the Bulldogs – when he racially abused the ex-Dally M Medallist.
The NRL said on Tuesday it had been in touch with the teenager, who was registered with a Country Rugby League club.
Thaiday – a victim of racial abuse on Twitter in 2012 – baulked at what penalties should be imposed on the teenager, saying the uproar he had caused should have sufficiently embarrassed him.
“I think everyone talking about the issue is punishment enough,” he said.
“He is probably sitting there knowing he has made a bad mistake.
“I feel for him a little bit.”
The NRL stepped in after Barba’s father Ken called on the governing body to crack down on racism, saying his son was spat on during games for the Bulldogs last year and was sick and tired of abuse.
Thaiday revealed Barba was initially “pretty gutted” by the Instagram slur but believed his teammate would have his head right by Friday night’s NRL derby with North Queensland.
“It is pretty rough to read those things about you,” said Thaiday.
“But Ben is a pretty positive guy and he got through training pretty well. Hopefully he is bubbling to go on Friday night.
“The NRL will deal with it but I think Ben has handled it really well and is keen now to move on and play good footy.
“There is no place for racism in league or society in general. Hopefully we can move on and get the focus back on footy and the great game Ben had last Friday.”
NRL chief operating officer Jim Doyle considered the abuse “a serious matter”.
“Racism will not be tolerated in any form,” he said.
“Rugby League is an inclusive game and there is no excuse for behaviour that vilifies any member of the game or the community.
“We are in the process of speaking with the individual involved and his family.”
Thaiday believed the anti-racism message was sinking in.
“These incidents are becoming more and more rare. Hopefully we get to the point where we don’t see it any more,” he said.
“It is hard. In social media, there are a lot of people who have their opinions.
“Ben had said feel free to come at him about his football but racism is not something that is needed.”
Thaiday did not think the latest incident would put players off scaling back their presence on social media.
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