Group 10 chairman Linore Zamparini has joined the growing chorus of rugby league figures to slam online trolls and abusive fans and says any similar behaviour in the bush will be dealt with swiftly.
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Sydney Roosters centre Latrell Mitchell was racially abused by an online troll on the weekend, the NRL continues to investigate the matter after Mitchell made the abuse public on Facebook on Sunday.
It also emerged on Wednesday that Blake Ferguson was also racially vilified earlier this season, with the NSW winger alerting Parramatta to the offensive messages.
North Queensland Cowboys hardman Josh McGuire has also received a number of death threats, which were made public by his wife.
... we expect all games, at all grounds, to adhere to that code of conduct.
- Group 10 chairman Linore Zamparini
NRL club bosses have discussed the issue at a meeting and backed a stance to ban any person who racially abuses a player online from games.
Mr Zamparini said while the 2019 Group 10 season has largely been incident free he was wary of emotion spilling over at the business end of the season.
He encouraged rugby league fans in the region to attend this weekend's final round and the ensuring finals series, but did so with this warning: we will be watching.
"We certainly will," Zamparini said when asked if Group 10 would come down hard on offenders, online or at the grounds.
"Our policies haven't changed. The national code of conduct is in place in Group 10 and we expect all games, at all grounds, to adhere to that code.
"What people have to remember is a lot of people at grounds running clubs are volunteers.
"It's very hard to get referees and officials and we can't afford to lose those people, and certainly we need to look after our players as well.
"Any bad behaviour or abuse won't be accepted."
NRL CEO Todd Greenberg has called on rugby league fans across the country to call out internet trolls.
"We've got an opportunity as a sport, to stand up and stand for something," Mr Greenberg said. "And when we see it, we'll call it out."
The NRL has previously banned fans who have racially abused players at grounds, most recently last season at Penrith after a slur made against Greg Inglis and Zamparini said Group 10 would look to do the same.
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