NRL announces drastic new measure after Latrell Mitchell’s X-rated radio interview caused shockwaves in the footy world

The NRL has told Triple M it will not be allowed to film post-match interviews on the field after the broadcaster was criticized for Latrell Mitchell’s X-rated comments.

South Sydney Rabbitohs and Nine Entertainment Co made formal complaints to the NRL over the radio station’s ability to film content on the pitch after matches, breaching an unsupervised rule.

NRL’s general manager of business and commercial operations contacted the radio station to inform them that they did not have visual rights to matches and would not be allowed onto the field after the match, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.

“Radio partners only have audio rights to NRL matches,” the email read.

‘Accordingly, radio partners may not visually record or film any match or on-field activity, including on-field interviews.

‘Radio partners may not enter the field of play to conduct interviews until at least 10 minutes after the final whistle, or before permission has been granted by the NRL or the presenter.’

The NRL also told its radio partners to provide positive reporting and not ‘place undue emphasis on the negative aspects of the game, including incidents on or off the field’.

Triple M has also removed the video from its social media platforms.

Mitchell gave an X-rated interview in which he dropped the f-bomb four times. The NRL chose not to punish the Souths superstar for his comments.

Andrew Abdo has denied giving Mitchell special treatment by meeting with the South Sydney fullback rather than imposing a sanction following his profane radio interview.

The NRL chief executive said it was “bold” to suggest the league was afraid to fine Mitchell for his comments, and that he “wouldn’t be doing his job” if he didn’t regularly meet star players.

The incident has drawn extra attention to an underperforming Rabbitohs side, with Mitchell’s team-mates downplaying the seriousness of the comments when questioned on Monday.

The NRL was reluctant to sanction Mitchell, one of the game’s most marketable and high-profile players, with Abdo instead committing to meeting the Souths fullback.

The NRL received complaints from South Sydney Rabbitohs and Nine Entertainment

Brisbane’s Corey Parker questioned the tactic on radio on Monday, and Canterbury football boss Phil Gould also claimed on Channel 9 that the fullback had become ‘bigger’ than those in charge.

But Abdo rejected suggestions that Mitchell would receive preferential treatment by organizing a meeting.

“I think it’s important to know that I will always overtake a player,” he said at the launch of the NRL’s Multicultural Tour.

“There has always been an open invitation to speak to a player or official in the game from time to time about a range of matters.

“We have some high-profile players, and Latrell is one of them.

“He’s a role model, he’s a leader, and if there’s an opportunity to engage with him and work with him on a range of issues facing the game, then I wouldn’t be doing my job if I wouldn’t do that.’