Latrell Mitchell has set the record straight on his weekend trip to a junior footy carnival, while firing back at a 2BG radio report which accused him of snubbing children asking for photos.
Talkback radio host Ben Fordham kicked off the controversy on Tuesday morning, declaring he ‘couldn’t believe’ the South Sydney superstar had brushed two young children who had asked him for a photo at the Mark Geyer Trophy event in Penrith on Saturday.
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Fordham discussed the incident with a caller, who claimed his two grandchildren, aged four and eight, were told to “go away” by Mitchell because it was his day off when they approached him for a photograph.
“To hear that on Saturday morning was so disappointing and I’m pretty sure I’m no longer a Rabbitohs supporter,” the caller, who claimed to have been a fan of the club for 54 years, told 2GB.
Now Mitchell himself has rubbished the report in a statement posted to his Instagram account, insisting he never told any children he wouldn’t take a photo with them.
“I’m glad everyone can believe one idiot (who makes) a stupid complaint,” Mitchell wrote on Instagram.
“Never once said no (to a photo), I said ‘wait til the games are over and I will happily’ (take the photo).
“I don’t need to explain myself. My integrity with the youth should never be questioned.
“When can we as NRL players have a day to sit watch a bit of junior footy and enjoy our kids?
“Shame on you!”
The 26-year-old, who recently withdrew from the Kangaroos squad due to a finger injury, also shared a series of images to his Instagram Stories of him engaging with delighted young children.
Alongside one image of himself sitting with around 12 children he mentioned the “10 hour drive to see these fullas smile”.
Latrell’s brother and teammate Shaquai also hit out at the criticism on social media with a reminder that the Rabbitohs fullback goes above and beyond to engage with younger people.
“Seriously! This is getting old don’t question my brother with (regards to) youth, (and) what he does for our younger generations coming through, got you my bra Latrell, put some respect on the name,” Shaquai wrote.
South Sydney CEO Blake Solly also launched a passionate defence of Mitchell while slamming the ‘outrageous’ criticism against him in an interview with news.com.au on Tuesday.
“In my time at the Rabbitohs, I’ve never seen a player stop for more photos, autographs or interactions with fans than Latrell Mitchell,” Solly said.
“On this occasion, it is his off-season, he goes out to a huge carnival for junior rugby league in the Penrith area with over 40 junior teams involved, he attends with his family.
“He signs autographs and engages with hundreds of kids. But given the amount of people there – and the fact he’s with his family, he would prefer not to have photographs. I don’t think that’s an unreasonable request of a player in that situation.
“At the end of the day he’s gone out to attend a junior rugby league carnival, engage with any number of kids and fans on a day off when he doesn’t have to with his own family and he’s being criticised for not stopping for photos.
“It’s actually an outrageous criticism. He is a player, who in my time at the club, gives more back to the rugby league community than almost any other. What more do people expect of him?”
Mitchell’s manager Matt Rose, from the No Limit agency, also responded to the report in scathing fashion, and as reported by 2GB told Fordham before the story went to air, “if you take on Latrell, you’ll have a legal letter on your doorstep.”
“Latrell Mitchell drove out to attend a gala day on Saturday and he was there with his family for several hours,” Rose said.
“Whilst at the gala day, Latrell signed autographs and shook hands with junior rugby league players. But there were no photos taken on the day. It is not uncommon for him to say no to photos.
“If this is raised in the media it will only push Latrell further away and it may lead him to not attending these events in future.”
The NRL announced last week Mitchell is one of the finalists for the prestigious Ken Stephen Medal, which recognises the work players commit to community projects away from the football field.
He received his nomination because of the work he does through the Souths Cares program, ongoing action in Indigenous communities, campaigning against online bullying and his position as a mental health ambassador of the Goanna Academy.
– with Tyson Otto