Canberra star Jack Wighton has called out a racial slur directed at him on social media following his decision to join South Sydney at the end of the season.
Just hours after the Rabbitohs officially trumpeted Wighton’s signature on a four-year deal from 2024, the former NSW and Australian playmaker used his Instagram account to highlight an abusive post.
The message labelled Wighton, in part, a “weak gutted dog”, a reference to the term Canberra coach Ricky Stuart used to describe Panthers utility Jaemon Salmon during a press conference. Stuart was fined $25,000 over that incident. The abusive message also contained a racial slur.
Jack Wighton has called out a racial slur directed at him. Credit: Getty
Wighton reposted the offensive material, as well as the message: “Stooping low here … for what reason little coward”, before reposting the handle of the sender.
A Raiders club spokesperson said: “There is absolutely no place in the game for any abuse of this kind. We will report this to the integrity unit first thing tomorrow.”
NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said: “It’s absolutely abhorrent that we have people that talk to anyone in that way, whether they are a footballer or a member of the public.
“The integrity unit are investigating and will be cooperating with the relevant authorities to take appropriate action,” he said.
Wighton will join his great mate Latrell Mitchell when he joins the Rabbitohs.
On several occasions, Mitchell has called out the racial abuse directed at him in a bid to stamp it out. Only last month, NSW Police issued a warning to a teenage boy accused of hurling a racist insult at the Rabbitohs fullback during a match against Penrith.
Wighton’s decision to leave the club that turned him into a star has frustrated Raiders management, who have asked the NRL to investigate South Sydney’s offer. The Rabbitohs deal is estimated to be about $1 million short of the $4.4 million he could have taken to remain in the nation’s capital.
“I want to reassure you all that the club did everything possible to keep Jack at the Raiders and we wanted nothing more than to see him reach 300 games and become a one-club player,” Stuart told fans in a statement posted on the club website on Wednesday.
“I want to let our loyal members and fans know that I bleed green as much as you do, and as much as it hurts today, our future is still ahead of us, and we will continue on the path we best see fit to give this club the success it deserves.
“As a club, we believe the current contracting system where players can sign well out from the end of their current contract is flawed.” In a statement trumpeting Wighton’s signing later on Wednesday, the Rabbitohs said the club’s rich Indigenous history was a telling factor in closing the deal.
“He is attracted to the great Indigenous heritage of our Club, to the respect and recognition we have for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and causes, and the fantastic work of Souths Cares in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia,” said Rabbitohs head of football Mark Ellison.
“He spoke to us about the family feel at the club and the obvious brotherhood amongst the playing group. Here he will be able to play alongside some of his great mates as well as representative and former club teammates in Latrell Mitchell, Cody Walker, Cameron Murray, Damien Cook, Campbell Graham, Alex Johnston, Isaiah Tass, Shaquai Mitchell and Siliva Havili.”
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