Trent Robinson has apologised to Latrell Mitchell on behalf of the Sydney Roosters, throwing his support behind the superstar fullback and claiming the incident highlights greater racial issues within Australia.
The NRL has launched an investigation into the racial abuse of Mitchell on Thursday night, with a slur made against the South Sydney star in the loss to Penrith.
A teenage fan wearing a Roosters jersey is said to be at the centre of the controversy and subsequently left during half-time.
"It's really disappointing. We just don't represent the Roosters in that way. It's not how we want to act as Roosters," Robinson said.
"Whether we like it or not, they were wearing our colours. We have to accept that. But it doesn't mean they are a Rooster.
"If you want to act like that, and abuse people racially like that, then that is not who we are. It's not who we want to be.
"We need to be better than (that). I'm apologising from the Roosters to Latrell, even though it's not directly us. Indirectly one of our fans did that, and it's not right."
Robinson did, however, admit he was not surprised by the situation.
"Because that's where we are still at as a country," Robinson said.
"It's pretty standard. Some people are casual racists and some people are overt like it was last night. That's where we're at.
"People don't like strong Indigenous voices like Latrell. They would rather he stay quiet and in his box and not express it in that way.
"We are still not at a point where we are able to accept really strong Indigenous voices in this country. That's really disappointing."
South Sydney intend to file police report
Rabbitohs club officials told reporters the fan targeted Mitchell with a racist comment on Thursday as he walked up the tunnel at BlueBet Stadium and into the dressing sheds.
The fan allegedly left the scene after making the comment but a man who had been sitting with him, believed to have been his father, was ejected by security.
The spectator in question wore the jersey of the Roosters.
A proud Birrbay and Wiradjuri man, Mitchell has been faced racial taunts in the past and in April 2021, two men were charged for sending him racially abusive social media messages.
The NRL confirmed to AAP that the Integrity Unit had already opened an investigation into the incident.
After the Rabbitohs' 16-10 loss, Demetriou delivered an impassioned plea for the NRL to ban the alleged offender and his parents from attending future games.
"This is not something Latrell just cops on the footy field, this is something he's had to deal with his whole life. All Indigenous people do," Demetriou said.
"I can't get my head around it to be honest, I don't understand in Australia how anyone can be raised like that.
"There has to be hard and fast rules, if anyone comes close to getting racial they are completely ruled out of our game. If it's a young kid, pull his parents out as well. It's just not on."
The Panthers are working with the NRL to investigate the incident, with the Rabbitohs determined in their pursuit of justice.
"From what I understand, security have done a great job identifying who it is, the club has done a great job of identifying who it is and now we'll take it through the police," Demetriou said.
"We'll go all the way, as far as we can with it. As a club, we'll stand right by Latrell. It's just not on. As far as I'm concerned, we go as far as we can take it."
The Panthers released a brief statement to confirm they would assist the NRL in their investigation but did not provide further details.
"As far as I know, the club's all over it," Panthers coach Ivan Cleary said.
"An investigation will take place.
"Hopefully they can all get to the bottom of it."
NRL CEO Andrew Abdo condemned the incident in a statement of his own late Thursday night.
"Any form of racism or vilification will not be tolerated in our sport. We will not accept this behaviour from anyone," Abdo said in a statement provided to AAP.
"We are working with the stadium and the club to get all the facts. The Integrity Unit will investigate fully.
"We will stand behind our players and commend them for calling out this behaviour."
