Johns slams brother's racist comments - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Johns slams brother's racist comments

17/06/2010 08:37:31 PM Comments (0)

Matthew Johns has joined the chorus of people to publicly criticise the racist comments made by his brother, Andrew.

Speaking on Channel Seven's The Matthew Johns show on Thursday, Matthew described his brother's State of Origin camp slur directed at Queensland's Greg Inglis as "prehistoric".

"Joey knows as well as anyone you don't have to be Polynesian or indigenous to take offence at what he said," Matthew said.

"And because he knows that - his comments, they're prehistoric and really, really stupid."

On Thursday Parramatta star Timana Tahu agreed to a formal mediation process with Andrew after a meeting with NRL boss David Gallop.

Tahu, of Aboriginal and Maori extract, quit the NSW camp after the assistant coach's intoxicated spray during a Blues bonding session in northern NSW last Wednesday.

Tahu and Gallop were joined by Tahu's wife Kasey and other family members, his manager Warwick Wright and Eels boss Paul Osborne.

"Nobody could ever doubt Timana's sincerity in what he did last Friday," Gallop said in an NRL statement.

"He cares deeply about ensuring that others don't feel the need to take a similar stance and we are also committed to that.

"Timana has agreed to meet with our Indigenous Council next week to discuss their program and their plans for the future.

"He has furthermore indicated a willingness to enter into a formal process under the auspices of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner for the Human Rights and Equal Opportunities Commission, Mr Mick Gooda, to properly resolve the issues of last week with Andrew Johns.

"Certainly I was impressed by his attitude and we are keen to work with him to ensure that longstanding lessons are learnt from his stance."

Tahu added: "Meeting David Gallop today was the first step towards reaching a positive outcome on this issue.

"It was a chance for me to talk through the issue with him in detail and about what actions we can all work towards together to take a stance on racism in sport and society in general."

Tahu is expected to return to training with the Eels on Friday.

"There is a lot of good work under way but issues like those faced by Timana remind us all that there is always more that can be done," Gallop said.

"I am sure that we can all work together to achieve that aim."

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