Leeds Rhinos star forced to issue statement after “derogatory and disgusting” social media abuse

Leeds Rhinos star Richie Myler has sadly been forced to issue a statement opposing derogatory and disgusting comments about him and his family on Tattle Life.

The fullback / halfback was responding thousands of comments on the website which is described as “allowing commentary and critiques of people that choose to monetise their personal life as a business and release it into the public domain.”

Myler also revealed that North Yorkshire Police are fully involved in a statement issued on social media.

The statement reads: “For over 12 months there has been several individuals who have felt the need to write derogatory and disgusting comments about me and my family on this awful website.

“This isn’t just people having an opinion on somebody else’s life choices, these 4,000 comments (all by the same 6/7 accounts) are harmful and sickening.

“Three accounts have been successfully uncovered and thanks to North Yorkshire police, who are taking this very seriously, are now been fully investigated as an open case.

“If anyone on here has any information on this, please direct message me or contract North Yorkshire Police. Thanks.”

This is disappointing to see but it seems Myler has taken the necessary action to deal with the situation.

Myler looks set to have a real battle on his hands for first team rugby in 2024. This is because his number one shirt is likely to be taken by new signing Lachie Miller.

Meanwhile, fellow new recruit Matt Frawley is set to take on one of the halfback shirts which is true of transfer target Brodie Croft should Leeds get the signing over the line.

Losing the number one shirt will prompt a determined response from Myler but Miller is also excited.

Commenting on signing for the Rhinos, Miller said, “I am looking forward to joining such a prestigious club as Leeds Rhinos and excited to come across having spoken with Rohan and Gary to be part of the culture at Headingley.

“I really enjoyed my footie at the start of this season and I want to bring that to the Rhinos. It is a big change for my family, we have a newborn and two-year-old so it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our young family that we are ready to embrace and make the most of.

“I watch a fair bit of the Super League competition on TV over here in Australia and I am fortunate to be joining such a great club and hopefully I can add to the culture. I know the club has a history of mixing a core young English lads with the overseas guys and I can’t wait to play in front of the passionate Leeds fans at Headingley.

“I know there are a lot of connections between the Knights and the Rhinos over the years but I haven’t spoken to Brian McDermott or Danny Buderus yet about the club as we have been trying to get the deal done, I’ll definitely be seeking any advice they can give me though. I have spoken to some good friends of mine, Brandon Lee and Tyson Gamble, who have been coached by Rohan and they say what a legend of a guy he is. His style of footie, I think, will suit the way I like to play and I knew from the moment we spoke on the phone that he was a coach I wanted to be associated with,” added the 29-year-old.

Head Coach Rohan Smith added, “Having spoken to people about Lachie, everyone speaks about him being well respected and highly regarded by those who have worked with him. He is a quick, broken-field runner who is gaining in experience all the time having come across to League from Rugby Union later in his career. I think he will fit in well with our squad for next season and the plans we have for our style of play moving forward.”

Leeds Rhinos Chief Executive Gary Hetherington commented, “I would like to thank Newcastle Knights and Lachie’s management for helping make the deal possible especially given that he had one more year remaining on his Knights contract. It is important for us that we bring in the right people to strengthen not just the team but who fit our culture. He certainly fits that bill.”