Footballers Ian Milera and Elijah Satala racially abused during Port Noarlunga, Flagstaff Hill SFL match
Local footy league clubs have stood together against racism after Aboriginal players were subjected to sickening abuse by spectators during a Southern Football League match on Saturday.
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Ex-SANFL livewire stars for Port Noarlunga: Round two SFL reports
- How to get the most out of your Advertiser digital subscription
Indigenous footballers have come together to take a stand against racism after spectators abused players during a Southern Football League match on Saturday.
Port Noarlunga’s Ian Milera said it was “one of the worst days they have endured on a football field” after he and teammate Elijah Satala were subjected to racial taunts from Flagstaff Hill fans.
The match was stopped for about five minutes midway through the last quarter when officials and other fans intervened in an attempt to stop the abuse, directed mainly at Milera and Satala.
Another Indigenous Port Noarlunga player, who asked not to be named, said some people from the crowd targeted Aboriginal players with offensive and deeply personal insults, which The Messenger has decided not to repeat in full.
He said a group of spectators taunted the players with racist comments such as “look at him ... typical black fella and look at those black fella moves”.
“We were 10 goals down in the last quarter and they still wouldn’t let up,” he said.
“Some of the other words I don’t want to repeat, they were horrible and very offensive.’’
Port Noarlunga’s Ben Stokes was saddened to hear his teammates and friends were racially abused.
“I am a bit older than these guys, I’m 35, but I experienced this when I was 15 years old,” Stokes said.
“We are in the year 2020 and I can’t believe this is still happening and these young fellas have to put up with it.”
Connor Sampson, who also played in the A-grade game, was equally upset at the attacks.
“It made me so sad and disappointed,’’ Sampson said.
“With everything going on the world, you would think people would know better.
“The language was disgusting and made me upset and down. I am a proud Aboriginal man.’’
Ex-Glenelg SANFL livewire Milera, who booted six goals in Port Noarlunga’s 94-point loss to the Falcons at Flagstaff Hill, was so disappointed by the spectators’ actions that he went to the bench for the last few minutes of the game.
“(It) was probably one of the worst days I’ve had in my footy career,” Milera said in a Facebook post.
“Never thought I would experience it as we are just there to play footy.
“Racism is alive in Australia still and it’s just disappointing.’’
Satala, who played under-18s with Glenelg, backed up the comments, saying some of his family members heard the abuse.
But Milera, Satala and Port Noarlunga said they would not name or shame anyone responsible.
They instead wanted to use the incident as an opportunity to educate people on the importance of respecting the Aboriginal culture.
They also backed the swift action of Flagstaff Hill president Neil Williams and the Falcons players who came into the Cockledivers’ changerooms after the game to offer support.
Port Noarlunga coach Clint Howes said the incident soured a game otherwise played in good spirit, although his team was crushed on the scoreboard.
“(We have) nothing against the Flagstaff club, players and other officials,” Howes said.
“But this sort of thing just can’t keep happening in our game.
“The boys are quiet lads and it really crushed them and other Aboriginal players we have at the club.
“We are into education. We should appreciate what these Aboriginal boys bring to the game and that they should be celebrated, not vilified.”
Williams said he and his club were devastated by the behaviour.
“The Flagstaff Hill Football Club takes the issue of racism very seriously,” Williams said.
“That is why we have issued a formal apology to the Port Noarlunga club for any hurt we may have caused any of their players or supporters and to make them aware that we are fully investigating the alleged actions very thoroughly.”
SFL president Craig Warman said the league was investigating the incident and the offenders could be banned from future matches.
“It is never nice to hear these sorts of things happening,” Warman said.
“It is a situation that we will be looking at.
“We have asked both clubs to identify who was involved and we will certainly be taking action in what we deem to be a very unpleasant situation.
“It’s just not appropriate … and we will stamp it out as best as we can and it’s a matter of continuing to push for a change in people’s attitudes.”
