- NRL Integrity Unit investigates leaked image
- The South Sydney star is currently injured
South Sydney NRL star Latrell Mitchell is being investigated by the NRL Integrity Unit following a photo that appears to show him hunched over a table with an unknown white substance on it, according to a report.
In the leaked photo, the injured Rabbitohs fullback appears to be leaning over the table, with his right hand close to the equipment and his left hand in front of his face.
The image also shows an unknown blonde woman.
It is not known when or where the photo was taken.
The image first came to the attention of Souths and the NRL when a reporter arrived at the Bunnies training session on Monday and began asking questions, according to News Corp.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted South Sydney and the NRL for comment.
Mitchell has been sidelined in recent weeks due to a foot injury he sustained against Parramatta on July 4.
He was in the stands but did not play during the Bunnies’ 28-16 defeat to the Storm at Homebush last Thursday evening.
Latrell Mitchell is reportedly under investigation over an image (pictured) that appears to show him hunched over a table with an unknown white substance in front of him
The 27-year-old is currently out with a foot injury and was in the stands but did not play when Souths lost to Melbourne last Thursday night (pictured)
The club are still unsure whether he will be able to play again this year, despite doctors deciding he will not need a season-ending operation on his left foot.
It has been a difficult season for Mitchell and Souths, with the club struggling and him battling injuries and poor form.
In June, he spoke openly about how close he had come to retirement, and the toll that constant criticism of his play on the pitch and his life off it has taken on him.
“I feel like a lot of people hate me and they don’t know me,” he said.
‘A lot of people hate me and make me the bad guy all the time. That’s why I try not to hide myself as a person.’
‘That’s how I am now, because that’s how I was screwed. In the past, but I learned a lot from those situations when I was young. And when I was exploited.
“The way I behave on the pitch is a bit of frustration from off the pitch. Behaving like that is not the way to play football. It’s not the game I like.
“These short bursts of anger. That’s not me. That’s what builds up over time or over the course of a week or a month or a year, when people are constantly coming at me.”
Mitchell responded to criticism from media experts by publishing a six-word message.
“If the media would just shut up and let me play,” he said. “Honestly, if you guys would shut up and let me play, there wouldn’t be anything controversial.”
Mitchell confirmed reports he was considering early retirement and admitted he was tempted to return to Taree.
“I didn’t want to go through another year of sadness,” he said.
‘But when you peel back the layers, you see the people who made sacrifices for you and you want to make them proud.
Mitchell played a starring role for NSW in a huge State of Origin win in the second game over Queensland but has otherwise had a season to forget
“All I’ve ever done is stand up for my people. Stand up for my culture and stand up for my family,” he said.
‘I honestly think about it: if I had just kept my mouth shut and done my job, like everyone is saying now, I would be the best player in the world.’
Mitchell was suspended for a foul shot on Warriors playmaker Shaun Johnson. The team endured a disastrous start to the season, with coach Jason Demetriou being fired.
He missed the first game of State of Origin but made headlines when he returned to the Blues for the match at the MCG and played a starring role in a huge win over Queensland.
Due to an injury, the 27-year-old was unable to participate in the deciding match.
