Inquiry launched over Inglis racial abuse row

PENRITH is investigating claims South Sydney star Greg Inglis was racially abused by a member of the crowd in the Panthers’ 18-14 NRL win over the Rabbitohs on Saturday.

Inglis was booed from Panthers Stadium when he left the field following a head knock, and remained on the Rabbitohs’ bench after he was ruled out for the rest of the match.

It is understood Inglis heard racial abuse at some point and notified Rabbitohs officials after the match, who passed the complaint on to Penrith and the NRL. Both clubs and the NRL are now working to find the offender.

“I wish to make it clear our club does not tolerate this kind of behaviour in any form,” Panthers chief executive Brian Fletcher said in a statement.

“We will work with the NRL to investigate the matter and any perpetrators will be swiftly dealt with. Our club apologises unreservedly to Greg Inglis for the upset caused by the alleged incident.”

Inglis, a proud indigenous representative, has previously been at the centre of several racial issues.

In 2010, Timana Tahu walked out on the NSW State of Origin camp after he claimed Inglis was the target of a racial slur from Blues assistant coach Andrew Johns. Johns later apologised to Inglis over the matter.

The South Sydney fullback was also the victim of a racist online slur in 2013, prompting then-NRL CEO Dave Smith to launch a hunt for the offender.

Meanwhile Souths CEO Blake Solly said his club was working closely with the NRL and Penrith to investigate Saturday’s incident. “We are working through it with the NRL and Penrith,” South Sydney chief executive Solly said. PENRITH prop Tim Browne is recovering in hospital after undergoing emergency surgery on a ruptured bowel.

Browne, a former Canterbury forward, was injured in a tackle while playing reserve grade for the Panthers against North Sydney on Saturday. He was assisted from the field by two trainers, and taken to hospital by ambulance for the emergency surgery.

Thursday: Storm v Cowboys, AAMI Park, 7.50pm.

Friday: Bulldogs v Panthers, ANZ Stadium, 6pm; Wests Tigers v Broncos, Campbelltown Stadium, 7.50pm.

Saturday: Raiders v Warriors, GIO Stadium, 3pm; Rabbitohs v Sea Eagles, ANZ Stadium, 5.30pm; Eels v Sharks, ANZ Stadium, 7.30pm.

Sunday: Titans v Dragons, Clive Berghofer Stadium, Toowoomba, 4.10pm; Roosters v Knights, Allianz Stadium, 6.30pm.