Sea Eagles forward Josh Aloiai has issued an apology after he said he accidentally liked a comment on a social media post which was racially offensive to Rabbitiohs star Latrell Mitchell.
Mitchell and brother Shaq conducted an interview with Nine News in the lead-up to Friday night’s All Stars match and the Indigenous brothers detailed some of the abuse they copped growing up in Taree.
On an Instagram post from the Nine account, a social media user commented “Biggest sook and always plays the racism card”, which Aloiai liked.
When contacted by media outlets afterwards he claimed it was done accidentally and he immediately removed the like.
“I was looking through Instagram as I normally do,” Aloiai said in the statement issued by Manly.
“I saw a post from Latrell, and I was going through it when I accidentally liked a comment as I was scrolling.
“When I was made aware of this, I immediately deleted it. If anyone saw it, I would like to say that it was certainly not intentional at all.”
It is not the first time Aloiai has been accused of intolerance – he was one of the “Manly Seven” who refused to wear an rainbow-themed inclusivity jersey two years ago due to religious reasons.
Latrell Mitchell. (Photo by Scott Gardiner/Getty Images)
Souths and Manly face off in Las Vegas in the NRL’s historic opening round fixtures in the US with the Mitchell brothers certain to be lining up against Aloiai at Allegiant Stadium.
“[There was] a lot of racism when we grew up as kids,” Latrell said in the Nine News interview.
“People driving past in their cars yelling out, ‘Black this’ and, ‘Black that’. Other examples, we were at games [as] nine and 10-year-old kids playing for Taree Rovers [with] parents yelling out and being racist because we were carving their kids up.
“Scary, 100 %. We used to have to sprint home, close the curtains and lock the doors. Stuff like that just makes you feel inferior.”
aerial lizard
Roar Rookie
The offense is offensive.
aerial lizard
Roar Rookie
While you're busy telling me what my opinion is, would you mind telling me how to think on a couple of other topics please? This is luxury not having to think for myself, like cruise control, what do I care of opinions of opinions? Very clever how you twisted my meaningless garble into garble even less meaningful but with an accusatory tone, you my friend are going places, politicians will promise you anything to access that compelling rhetoric. Oh dear, bring the pills, I forgot again.
mushi
Roar Guru
Yep it's highly unlikely that an Islander heritage guy is going to lean that way.
mushi
Roar Guru
So your idea is more people aren’t allowed an opinion regarding an opinion. Which ironically is what he’s “done”.
Robbo
Roar Rookie
Sounds like a genuine accident to me - surely he wouldn't think its ok to public agree with that even if he does. I'm putting it down to reckless and careless and I'm tipping one of the Mitchell's to flatten him this year just in case
Elmono
Roar Rookie
A Samoan player telling an Aboriginal player to stop whinging about race, would be an interesting controversy for the media to tackle, but I don't think this is what this actually is. I think the way it would be handled is that anyone that is Christian is basically white.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
They would have linked it to Schuster being lazy and sitting on his phone, when he should be hitting the gym and doing hill sprints.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
I think it’s a non event definitely but understanding the medias inclination for a pile on it’s just clumsy on his part as a senior player. I’m just grateful it wasn’t Schuster, they’d spin that through to the semis.
astro
Roar Rookie
Yeah, the headline of "Manly star" is a stretch to describe Aloiai!
andrew
Roar Rookie
It's a pity Seinfeld isn't doing a series in 2024, they'd have a field day with social media rubbish. Like, unlike, somebody stole my phone, the list is endless. I just don't get how this becomes a story. Honestly, get a life.
Dutski
Roar Guru
Too soon, Tony. Too soon...
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Come on man. I can’t believe this is actually a story. Any other player and you’d be saying the same.
Brian Westlake
Roar Rookie
Never overestimate the power of stupidity. This is a guy that believes in magic
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
Sad way to go through life. This comment probably offended the people you're talking about.
Nat
Roar Guru
Oops… :stoked:
Tony
Roar Guru
He's very likeable apparently
Tony
Roar Guru
Pride? :happy:
Tony
Roar Guru
The permanently offended
Tony
Roar Guru
I believe I've accidentally liked your comment :silly:
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
I heard he liked someone's like.