"It's just taken this long to respond as we digest everything that has happened and we've gone through due process going forward.

"As you are well aware, last Sunday at the conclusion of the game against Newcastle, Addin aggressively challenged Grant Atkins.

"We fully appreciate there are two aspects that required attention.

"The first one was a player exhibiting decency towards a referee and, secondly, the use of a derogatory word that vilifies people with a disability.

"The club could have handled it better.

"With hindsight and external counsel to help provide a greater perspective, a variety of environmental factors and circumstances have contributed to the handling of this matter.

"I need to assure our apology is heard and understood. A good apology is one that acknowledges the mistake and then addresses how we make it right.

"The word retard is viewed by those within the disability community as extremely offensive. It's also a contravention of the United Nations convention of the right of persons with disabilities.

"The expulsion of its inappropriate and derogatory use from our vocabulary is critical in creating a civil society.

Addin and Manly acknowledge the use of the term ... has no place in today's civil society.

Manly Coach Des Hasler

"Its removal is as important to the disability community as it is the removal of inappropriate words to the black community, LGBTQ community and to our Australian First Nations people.

"Addin and Manly acknowledge the use of the term ... has no place in today's civil society."

Hasler went one step further by making sure the apology had an impact outside the NRL.

"We are drafting a formal apology to be sent to the Australian Human Rights Commission and delivered in particular to the Disability Discrimination Commissioner, Ben Gauntlett," Hasler said.

"We also wish to provide a formal apology to Anti-Discrimination NSW and have directed that to their board and chairperson Annabelle Bennett.

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"We're hoping they're open to Addin attending one of their forthcoming board meetings, COVID protocols pending, to apologise in person."

Dirk Melton, who has worked in sport for years and revealed he had autism several years ago, will also be brought on board to "assist in learning and the development of both Addin and the broader playing group to enhance diversity and inclusion education".

Hasler said Fonua-Blake's wellbeing needed to be taken into consideration and wanted to make sure the Tongan was "not persecuted in an unjust fashion".

Hasler signed off by telling media the club was happy to forward them an information pack with the United Nations' convention on the rights of people with disabilities.