Sydney Morning Herald

Brad Walter

ARL Commission director Chris Sarra has praised former Roosters, Rabbitohs and Panthers star Joe Williams after he went public about racial abuse from some NSW fans sitting among the 13,000-strong Blatchy's Blues supporters group at Origin II.

As revealed in yesterday's Herald, Williams posted on Facebook his "disgust" at racial taunts directed at indigenous Queensland players from a section of the crowd where he was watching with a group of 30 Aboriginal children from rural NSW. Williams's allegations were backed up by several other spectators sitting nearby who contacted the Herald yesterday, with some saying Blues players of ethnic heritage were also targeted.

NRL officials and ANZ Stadium management said there had been no official complaint made to either venue security or police on the night and encouraged anyone subjected to racism at games to report it so action could be taken. However, Sarra said Williams should be applauded for the way he responded to the racism.

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