NRL boss Andrew Abdo says league will weigh up medical evidence for Latrell Mitchell

[Pelican Press 0]

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

NRL boss Andrew Abdo says league will weigh up medical evidence for Latrell Mitchell

NRL boss Andrew Abdo denies there’s a “loophole” in league rules as they weigh up whether to allow South Sydney star Latrell Mitchell to serve a one-game suspension in the final round despite being ruled out for the season by interim coach Ben Hornby two weeks ago.

Mitchell was given the one-game ban for bringing the game into disrepute following an NRL investigation after the star fullback was pictured with a white powder in a Dubbo hotel room last month.

He needs to be fully cleared by South Sydney medical staff and available for selection for the ban to be served.

South Sydney engaged three separate doctors to supply evidence that Mitchell, who suffered a foot injury in round 18 and hasn’t played since, was fit to play in Friday night’s clash with the Roosters.

Camera IconLatrell Mitchell had to front the South Sydney board after the white-powder incident Justin Lloyd Credit: News Corp Australia

In Melbourne on Wednesday to present the JJ Giltinan Shield to the Melbourne Storm as minor premiers, Abdo called the situation “unique” but denied the club was exploiting any loopholes in the rules.

“We’re working with and liaising with the club,” he said.

“We want to make sure we satisfy ourselves that he is fit before we make that decision, so we’re having a look at that at the moment, and we haven’t finalised that yet.

“It’s an unusual situation. It doesn’t happen that often. I don’t think it’s a loophole.

“All suspensions should be served when the players are fit and available to play, so he’s actually missing a match, particularly if the suspensions occurred prior to the injury occurring.

“We’ll look at it, work with the club, and then make our make our decision today.”

Mitchell didn’t participate in the Rabbitohs’ training session on Tuesday, riding an exercise bike instead.

In addition to his ban, Mitchell was given $20,000 fines by both the NRL and the Rabbitohs over the white-powder saga.

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

#NRL #boss #Andrew #Abdo #league #weigh #medical #evidence #Latrell #Mitchell

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up