NRL takes action over Latrell Mitchell photo as mother of rival player issues angry denial
Braydon Trindall's mum has taken to social media to deny involvement in sharing the photo of Latrell Mitchell.
The NRL has issued Latrell Mitchell with a breach notice over a photo showing him bending over a table containing what appears to be a white powder. On Thursday afternoon, the league announced the sanction and said Mitchell had five days to respond.
"The particulars of the breach notice are that Mitchell featured in imagery ... which depicted him acting in a manner which has brought the game into disrepute," the NRL said in a statement. As per an agreement with the players' union, the NRL cannot detail the proposed sanction until Mitchell has responded to the notice.
South Sydney had earlier confirmed the photo was taken during Mitchell's trip to Dubbo last weekend, where he participated in community work and kids training clinics. The fullback is currently sidelined with a foot injury, and Souths revealed on Friday he's been placed on leave and won't play again this year regardless of the punishment handed down.
Mother of rival NRL player denies sharing photo of Latrell Mitchell
On Wednesday, the mother of Cronulla Sharks player Braydon Trindall took to social media to deny sharing the photo of Mitchell. The identity of the person who took the photo and shared it online remains a mystery, but according to the Daily Telegraph, Trindall's mother Kerri Cochrane has denied claims it was her.
Cochrane claimed a fake SnapChat account was set up using her name to share the photo. “As if I would do such a f***kin thing,” Cochrane wrote on Facebook. “Tbh (to be honest) idgaf (I don’t give a f***k) what Latrell Mitchell does or anyone else for that matter and I don’t need to ruin someone’s life and footy career to make a quick buck.”
Meanwhile, the identity of the woman standing next to Mitchell in the photo has come to light. Amy Brown, who reportedly lives in Lightning Ridge - around 350km north of Dubbo - took to Facebook to confirm it was her.
Brown wrote on Facebook: “Disappointed that they got my bad side. Done me dirty.” She also said there's “no shame” in liking “to have fun” when she goes out. However Brown has also denied responsibility for leaking the photo, saying she didn't even know it existed until 24 hours later.
Lawyer says NRL might not be able to ban Latrell Mitchell
The developments come after a leading lawyer told News Corp this week that the NRL might not be able to suspend Mitchell over the photo. "Unless either Latrell Mitchell, or whoever was allegedly in that room, attest to what Latrell is actually doing, and when, then I would submit on face value, legally, that the case would more than likely collapse," said Sydney lawyer Paul McGirr.
"It's mere speculation on a person who is seen bending down over a table. The NRL only has to prove matters on the balance of probabilities but without any admissions, the case would struggle. Without assuming anything, there is nothing on the still shot that indicates what he is doing without running away with our minds. Without any confirmation or denial, it's pure speculation."
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Regardless of whether Mitchell is sanctioned or not, Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga believes it should serve as a reminder to all NRL players. “You’re bringing the game into disrepute by putting yourself into that situation," Meninga suggested on SEN radio.
“This fella who has allegedly taken this photo of Latrell with white powder, he’s not a mate. He’s not a friend, he’s a person trying to make money out of this. I know that Latrell is not that type of person who uses drugs. Let’s be honest, let’s make it out straight away. I don’t see him as a person who does that sort of stuff.
“For those who stick up for Latrell, we hope he hasn’t let us down either, to be honest with you. People of high profile, not just Latrell, this is the society we’re living in now. You put yourself in those public situations, you’ve got to be so careful. So careful.”
