NRL and South Sydney slug Latrell Mitchell with huge fine over white-powder photo

Latrell Mitchell’s white-powder saga could cost him as much as $120,000 in fines, but South Sydney believe the incident will be a “turning point” for the NRL superstar.
The NRL has also confirmed Mitchell will serve his one-match ban only when fully fit, finalising its investigation more than two weeks after a photo circulated on social media showing the 27-year-old leaning over a white powder.
Mitchell will pay $20,000 in NRL-imposed fines and $20,000 up-front to the Rabbitohs, with Souths to trigger an additional $80,000 in fines if their star player reoffends. Mitchell will also be required to undertake training programs with the NRL’s wellbeing and education department, and adhere to a wellbeing program implemented by the Rabbitohs.
Mitchell admitted on Tuesday he had made “poor decisions” while sidelined with a serious foot injury, having fronted the Rabbitohs’ board to explain himself earlier that day. He made his first formal comments on the leaked image that depicted him leaning over a white powder during a recent community visit to Dubbo with a post on Instagram.
“Sometimes in life you make poor decisions and I have accepted that as a man/family man/club man I want to do better,” Mitchell wrote. “I can take this time now to move forward, look ahead and continue on being the best version of myself.
“Love to all that has supported [me] through this. Very grateful.”
Rabbitohs chief executive Blake Solly accepted the full-back is remorseful over the incident that took place during a community visit to Dubbo earlier this month.
“This has been a very challenging time for everyone at South Sydney, including staff and management, coaches, players, members, supporters and Latrell himself,” Solly said. “Most importantly, it has been very difficult for his family. This is not lost on Latrell.
“He has shown great remorse and given us a solid commitment to improve himself, make better decisions, and to work towards becoming the best dad he can be to his children, the best partner he can be to Brielle, and the player he can be for the Rabbitohs.
“He has taken full responsibility for his decisions and his actions.
“I, along with the board and management, are confident that this will be a turning point for Latrell and that he will make better decisions in the future. We are committed to helping him do that.”
AAP understands it will be up to the Rabbitohs’ medical staff to determine when Mitchell, who has not played since round 18, is fit and therefore available to serve his ban. The timing of the one-match suspension mandated by the NRL’s breach notice has been a sticking point in recent days.
The Rugby League Players’ Association had pushed for Mitchell to serve his ban immediately, despite interim coach Ben Hornby initially indicating the full-back’s season had been ended by his foot injury.
Less than two hours before the NRL finalised its investigation, Hornby back-tracked on that claim. The interim coach claimed Mitchell could actually be available for the final round of the season, and therefore would be able to serve his ban in round 27. The full-back took on light training duties at Heffron Park on Thursday as the Rabbitohs finalised preparations for Friday’s clash with reigning premiers Penrith.
“He’s just trying to tick the boxes. There is an outside chance he could play next week if we needed,” Hornby said. “He needs to show that he’s in good enough condition to play a game.”