The NRL is set to deny South Sydney’s claim for Latrell Mitchell to serve his white-powder suspension while under an injury cloud.
The Rabbitohs submitted testimony from three separate doctors indicating Mitchell could be fit to play the Roosters this Friday.
NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo insisted Mitchell would not be exploiting a loophole in the league’s rules but the debate has come to nothing.
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Multiple reports say Mitchell will now need to serve his one-match ban when fit at the start of the 2025 season as a result of the NRL’s decision.
The league left it to South Sydney to determine when their star player would be fit to clear the suspension he incurred for being pictured with a white powder in a Dubbo hotel room last month.
Rabbitohs interim coach Ben Hornby initially said the foot injury Mitchell suffered in Round 18 would end his season, likely leaving any suspension to hold over until 2025.
But Hornby backtracked on the morning Mitchell’s sanctions were finalised, claiming the fullback could actually be fit for the last round of the regular season, and therefore serve his ban this year.
NRL officials were still examining Souths’ submission when Abdo spoke in Melbourne on Wednesday morning.
“It’s a unique circumstance, so we’re doing our due diligence,” the CEO said.
“We’re working with and liaising with the club (Souths).
“We want to make sure we satisfy ourselves that he’s fit and eligible to play before we make that decision, so we’re having a look at that at the moment and we haven’t finalised that yet.”
Abdo was forced to defend the NRL against claims of favouritism when Mitchell received a meeting with league bosses, rather than a sanction, for his profane radio interview in March.
He denied the NRL would have let Mitchell off the hook by allowing him to serve his ban amid public debate about his fitness.
One columnist said South Sydney were attempting to “manipulate the suspension date” and called it a “grubby and unnecessary move that doesn’t pass the pub test”.
Many fans and commentators also agree that the move seems off.
Abdo dismissed the criticism.
“I don’t think it’s a loophole,” he said.
“An off-field suspension should be served when the player is fit and available to play so he’s actually missing a match, particularly if the suspension has occurred post-injury.
“So it’s not a loophole. We’ll look at it, work with the club and then make our decision.”
The NRL has also handed out $20,000 in fines over the white-powder incident, with the fullback set to pay another $20,000 to the Rabbitohs and an extra $80,000 if he reoffends.
The 15th-placed Rabbitohs’ woeful season will draw to a clos e hosting traditional rivals the Roosters at Accor Stadium on Friday night.
Souths could climb into 14th spot on the ladder by upsetting the finals-bound Roosters, who are playing their first game since Sam Walker, Brandon Smith and Victor Radley suffered serious injuries in Sunday’s loss to Canberra.