Panthers coach Ivan Cleary is of the understanding more than one racial comment was aimed at winger Brent Naden by crowd members on Friday night.
Cleary said Naden, who is proudly Indigenous, was "OK" after eight spectators were ejected from Central Coast Stadium for allegedly racially abusing the 24-year-old in the first half against the Warriors.
The incident marred Penrith's ninth straight win - a club record - but Cleary said that Naden's well-being was the priority.
The fans allegedly first abused Naden around the 20-metre line as Penrith attacked the Warriors. After seeing Naden point them out to trainer Hayden Knowles, the group allegedly followed the winger to the halfway mark where they continued.
"Brent - he's OK. He said that it's not the first time he's heard that in his life but I think in this form it has been," Cleary said post-match.
Match Highlights: Warriors v Panthers
"So he certainly took offence to it at the time but he's ok now. It's one of those situations I guess where you can only react to how you feel at the time. Whatever was said - and I don't know exactly what was said - definitely affected him."
NRL acting CEO Andrew Abdo released a statement stating that any vilification would not be tolerated.
"Any fan found to have racially abused a player or another fan will not be welcome at our games," Abdo said.
Rugby League Players’ Association CEO Clint Newton also issued a statement to "commend the NRL for acting swiftly and launching an investigation".
"No one should ever be subjected to racial vilification and we will continue to stand in solidarity with our members and the NRL with the aim of permanently eliminating any behaviour of this nature."
Cleary loops a pass over to Naden for the opener
Cleary was satisfied the appropriate actions were being taken and said the club was supporting Naden.
"It definitely affected him. He even said he didn't expect it to affect him. He was a bit surprised he was affected by that," Cleary said.
On a positive note, Cleary acknowledged the significance of his ladder-leading team breaking the club record for most consecutive wins.
"Our history is over 50 years. It's a pretty nice feather in the cap but that's all it is," the mentor said.
"It's definitely not easy to do, certainly in our competition. We've become a very reliable team that prepares well and turns up each week and does enough good things to give ourselves a chance to win.
"I'm very proud of the boys."
Penrith are set to be boosted by several returning stars in the coming weeks. Cleary said winger Brian To'o (ankle) is a chance to play against Cronulla next round while second-rower Kurt Capewell (knee) and outside back Charlie Staines (hamstring) aren't far away either.
"They say it's a good position to be in - unless you're the one picking the team," Cleary said. "It's going to be pretty tough."
