NRL investigating official’s alleged racist comment against Tongan fans

Fakatotolo'i 'e he kōmiti liiki NRL e tukuaki'i ne lea lau lanu ha taha 'o 'ene kau ngāue' ki he kau poupou Mate Ma'a Tonga'

The NRL’s investigators claim that a staffer at the test match between Tonga and Australia on Saturday night was overheard using racial slurs against Tongan fans.

The alleged remarks were overheard by Tongan DJ Alf ‘Al’Goodie’ Aholelei at Mt Smart Stadium where he was providing Tongan music for the Mate Ma’a Tonga fans.

‘Aholelei claimed a staffer shouted “Dance Monkey Dance” while the Tongan performers performed at the halftime show.

Aholelei called the incident “shocking” and “completely uncalled for, adding: “I’ve never experienced anything like that in my life,” Newshub has reported.

The DJ said the man tried to apologise at the time.

On Monday he wrote about his experience on Facebook. It’s since been shared more than 2000 times and has been recognised by the NRL’s integrity unit.

“I had a good conversation with them today and they’re doing everything they can to find out what happened, why it happened and to ensure it doesn’t happen again.”

In a statement an NRL spokesperson told Newshub it “takes the allegation very seriously and is investigating the circumstances.”

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