The National Rugby League is investigating a claim by former Kiwis international and Manly board member Darrell Williams that he was racially abused at a recent Sea Eagles board meeting.
Williams was reportedly being referred to by the racially derogatory term boy by a fellow director at a meeting in April.
However Williams, who played 21 tests for the Kiwis between 1985 and 1990 and 93 games for Manly from 1987 to 1993, didn't contact the NRL to lodge a complaint till Saturday.
The chief executive of the NRL, Dave Smith, says both parties have been have advised any suggestion of racism has to be treated seriously.
He says under the NRL's anti-villification policy, there is an initial conciliation phase which can involve the appointment of independent conciliator.
Smith says they'll approach the Human Rights and Equal Opportunities Commission for assistance in the process.
