The NRL has lauded Indigenous star Josh Addo-Carr for highlighting racist abuse he received on social media, confirming the matter has been referred to police.
The Canterbury recruit posted screenshots to his Instagram story on Wednesday showing multiple vile comments and direct messages from a social media user.
Wide World of Sports report they were contacted by a Bulldogs source that the club and Addo-Carr are taking further action.
“Josh Addo-Carr has been receiving racial comments on his media platforms,” the source said.
“Josh has sent me the screenshots today of the comments.
“I have forwarded these messages onto David Lockley, the NRL senior intelligence officer.
“David investigated similar messages that (Bulldogs winger) Jayden Okunbor received previously.
“I have been in contact with Josh, and he is OK, but has requested the NRL step in as this person is relentless with messages.”
Josh Addo-Carr scored the opening try of Origin 2. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
An NRL spokesperson told AAP that the NSW Police Hate Crimes Unit is now investigating.
“We will always support our players who are subjected to racism or abuse,” NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said.
“I want to commend Josh for the leadership role he plays in the community and for calling out and reporting this behaviour.
“Fans who racially abuse or threaten our players will be reported to police and we will work with authorities to do all we can to identify the perpetrators.”
The NRL has taken a firm stance against online abuse of players.
Last year, two men were charged and subsequently pleaded guilty to abusing South Sydney’s Indigenous champion Latrell Mitchell via social media.
C.Scott
Guest
Racism in Rugby League? No way! It's a societal problem I tell ya
Bpl0l
Guest
Yeah just ignore it. The same as you should just ignore it if someone followed you in real life constantly harassing and degrading you about something you have no control over. Sticks and stones Yadda yadda. Why should he ignore it, and further why are you condoning it. JAC hasn't made a big deal about it, all he did was report it and the media picked it up.
mushi
Roar Guru
Hi Baha, I thought the way the legislation was proposed the platform had three choices: - Provide sufficient info to identify the offender users; - Moderate the content effectively; or - Pay the fine
Larry1950
Guest
As an old white guy I find that JAC & Mitchell’s approach confronting but haven’t lived their life so they’re entitled to have their say on society as they see it. There are bigots everywhere, be it race, religion, gender or various other issues. No excuse for racist trolling so hope the police go hard & go early.
Randy
Roar Rookie
NSW Police will now probably arrest Ado Carr
The Sporacle
Roar Rookie
Often followed by "its just a joke mate" or the ever popular "one of my best mates is ..... and he doesn't mind" or who can forget this classic one "I'm not racist but ......"
baha
Guest
You can do both - ignore it personally, but still take it up to the police as a civil service and try to deter future behaviour
mushi
Roar Guru
It’s hardly bestowing cosmic significance, if we’ve got laws designed specifically to stop or deter this behaviour then there isn’t anything cosmic about it. Which is why you’re thankfully in the minority that believes you simply “grow up” and become immune to abuse. As the article describes this was beyond the ordinary but the grown up AI is omniscient and can tell it’s just easily ignored and that there aren’t varying degrees. I tend to find those who want abuse to be simply ignored are those that deploy it.
Al
Guest
Geez, how babyish. Imagine being so insecure and so psychologically vulnerable that you would be unable to ignore the abuse for the stupidity that it is, and must instead invest it with a kind of cosmic significance warranting police intervention. Everyone involved in this saga needs to grow up.
mushi
Roar Guru
Didn't they introduce something last year?
Monorchid
Roar Rookie
The only thing I've ever agreed with Wayne Bennett about is his advice to not read social media postings. All people in the public eye will attract this type of virulent tirade. There's not much that can be done about it. Look at how many scam notices we all get on mobile 'phone numbers and e-mail addresses. You can't stop this rubbish behaviour. Good luck with the police involvement though.
Succhi
Roar Rookie
I read this and also an article about a brawl at a junior game in Sydney. Sometimes I’m embarrassed to be a league fan.
David Shilovsky
Expert
What resources do the police have at their disposal to investigate such matters, does anyone know? Another commenter mentioned that it's costly and resource-heavy. Not condoning the abuse by any means, but at a certain point do players accept it is an inevitable aspect of social media platforms, and take a 'sticks and stones' approach to future incidents?
Nat
Roar Guru
Why don't you ask Laurie. Didn't you two old chums just catch up at the local last week? No, you're not allowed at the pub with decent humans.
Nat
Roar Guru
The sad, scared little boy will make up his own version. He moved on to making up personalities now just so someone will play with him.
The Sporacle
Roar Rookie
I'd imagine it was something that JAC found offensive, but if you could find out and let us know if he should or should not be offended based on your opinion that would be appreciated champ.
U
Roar Rookie
User as in one just one person? What are the comments specifically? Media made it sound like it was tons of people doing it to the poor guy. Why do people think they can get away with this crap?
Eduard Zeller
Guest
What was in the messages ?
baha
Guest
The only issue is it's not easy to track down and quite resource intensive. The way twitter and most popular social media platforms is set-up, it's quite easy to use a burner e-mail to sign up. Even harder to track with certain VPNs and crypto payments.
KenW
Roar Rookie
There's a clue in the word 'relentless' too. I don't doubt that players get abused constantly by morons, for him to bother going through this process would suggest there's a consistency or intensity in this case that's hard to ignore. And he shouldn't have to. There's processes in place to get justice, and possibly scare off the next cowards - good on him for following up.