Spencer Leniu has apologised to Broncos star Ezra Mam after admitting he used a racial slur during the NRL’s opening round in Las Vegas on Sunday AEDT.
The Sydney Roosters issued a statement on Thursday confirming Leniu has pleaded guilty to contrary conduct ahead of his judiciary hearing next week.
The 23-year-old is likely to receive a long suspension.
Stream 7NEWS for the latest on your club. Stream for free on 7plus 
Leniu was placed on report in the 69th minute of the Roosters’ 20-10 win over Brisbane after Indigenous five-eighth Mam told referee Adam Gee the prop had called him a “monkey”.
He was later referred to the judiciary after a night of high drama in Vegas that also included Broncos and Roosters players clashing in a hotel corridor.
“I want to apologise to Ezra and his family for using the word I did and I am sincerely sorry to cause him such distress,” he said.
“I’ve put my hand up and want to take ownership of this. I said the word but I didn’t mean it in a racist way. Anyone who knows me knows that’s not who I am.”
Roosters CEO Joe Jelly said the player has been compliant with the process.
“Spencer has been completely open and honest throughout this process, and we will continue to support him,” Kelly said.
“We extend our deepest apologies to Ezra, his family and the wider Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and offer our support to all parties during this time.
“We respect the judiciary process. Accordingly, the club will not be making any further comment prior to the hearing,” he added.
The Broncos subsequently issued a statement acknowledging Leniu’s apology “and the importance of taking that step”.
“There is no place for racism in our game or in our society,” the club said.
The club respects the NRL judiciary process that is still to play out and we will make no further comment on that.
“Ezra’s wellbeing has been our primary concern from the start. He has been well-supported within our club and we will continue to focus on that in the time ahead.”
Leniu’s admission came after the Sydney Roosters recruit had initially denied the claim on-field, and could be heard asking the referee “why would I say that?”.
He told Triple M after the match he was not “worried at all”, and that the incident was “just fun and games on the field, that’s it”.
Tensions between the clubs remained high late into the night in Vegas, with players exchanging words as they passed each other at the Hilton at Resorts World.
Witnesses said there was no threat of a physical altercation, and Leniu was ushered down the corridor by club staff as words were exchanged.
The teams were sharing the same floor at the hotel.
– With AAP
