A GROUP of Eels lower-graders sitting in the area of Parramatta Stadium where Penrith captain Petero Civoniceva says he was racially abused yesterday helped to identify those supporters they believe were responsible.
The breakthrough in the investigation into the incident in which at least two Parramatta fans are alleged to have called Civoniceva a "f---ing black monkey" came after Channel Nine supplied the club with footage of the crowd from Sunday's match. The lower-grade players were sitting behind the men they claim made the comments and picked them out on the footage.
Details of the two "persons of interest" were passed on to NSW Police by Eels officials, including their names and addresses. The police also have several witness statements from other supporters at the ground.
"The Parramatta club has identified two people of interest and passed on that information to the police," NRL chief operating officer Graham Annesley said. "We are now awaiting further advice from the police about the next step."
It is understood no criminal charges are likely but if police are convinced the accused pair made the comments they face a ban from all NRL matches. Eels chief executive Denis Fitzgerald wants the men to apologise to Civoniceva or face a life ban from NRL games. However, enforcing such a ban would prove difficult.
The incident has angered other players in the NRL, who have rallied behind Civoniceva.
"I think it's disgraceful," Sydney Roosters star Willie Mason told the Herald . "Petero is one of the most decent blokes you would ever meet and he is so highly respected by everyone … I've never heard anyone say a bad a word about him. All players cop their fair share from fans and they have the right to say things but no one deserves to be racially abused and what they said to Petero was disgusting. I hope they find them and ban them."
After hearing the abuse as he was about to return to the field from the interchange bench late in the second half, Civoniceva walked to the fence and gave the person he thought had made the comment an opportunity to withdraw their remarks. Instead, the words were repeated and Civoniceva uncharacteristically responded by knocking over some plastic beer cups.
"It just shows the sort of person Petero is that he felt bad about that because some kids might have seen it," Mason said. "He shouldn't be the one apologising because he's done nothing wrong."
Eels winger Jarryd Hayne, who is also of Fijian heritage, said the Test prop was well within his rights to react to the taunts.
"He's got every right to be upset with those sort of comments," Hayne told Channel Seven. "It is surprising and sort of upsetting. I'm not too sure who said it, whether they were people that turn up every week or not … but further action needs to happen. We have a great fan base here and this comes back on Parramatta's name."
The incident has also upset officials in Fiji.
"It is sad that racism is still well and alive today," Fiji National Rugby League chairman Peni Musunamasi told AAP.
"We cannot begin to imagine what Petero is going through right now, he is very shy but humble and only loves to play.
"I think it's pretty disgusting really, for people to resort that low. Drunk or sober, no one should be called names and racially abused because of the colour of their skin. Those days are long gone."
Civoniceva has been given four days leave from Penrith training to help him recover from the recent State of Origin series, in which he played a starring role in Queensland's 2-1 win.
The 32-year-old former Broncos star issued a statement on Monday apologising to any fans who may have been disturbed by his actions and urging young families not to be put off attending matches.
He has also offered to lead an NRL anti-racism program on behalf of the growing number of Polynesian players in the game and said he hopes something positive can come out of the incident. Despite other Penrith players saying the abuse of Civoniceva wasn't an isolated incident during Sunday's match, officials from rival clubs who have played at Parramatta Stadium this season told the Herald they were unaware of any complaints.
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