Johnathan Thurston says rugby league has missed an opportunity to send an unequivocal message that racial abuse will not be tolerated in the game.
Thurston, an Indigenous leader in the game, said an opportunity to take a stand against racism had been lost, and that he believed a 12-week suspension would have been more appropriate for the hurt it has caused Mam and First Nations people.
“I understand that he’s owned up to what he has said, but the NRL, we have the Indigenous All Stars match, we have the Indigenous round, they have an NRL Indigenous strategy team, so we’re saying and doing all the right things but I definitely don’t think that the crime has fit the punishment.” “I spoke to Ezra after the match to check on him, on his wellbeing. He was pretty shattered about it all. He’s got great family support around him, there’s players around him as well.“I thought, as the NRL, it was a great opportunity to make a statement – and I don’t think the eight weeks is sufficient.”“It’s been quite difficult over the last couple of weeks. Like I said, I checked on Ezra to see how he is, and also you’ve got to check on Spencer as well and see how he’s doing.
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