Modbury Jets head coach Maurice Natale escapes lengthy ban but cops suspension for remark after on-field fight

Football SA has ruled a coach’s comment caught on video during an all-in brawl at a match last weekend was not a racist slur. 

Football SA has ruled a coach at the centre of an investigation involving what was initially believed to be a slur directed at a player of African descent did not intend it to have a racist meaning.

The shock decision was handed down by the disciplinary committee late Tuesday night, which ordered Modbury Jets head coach Maurice Natale to serve a two-match ban on a lesser charge.

Natale was caught on video shouting “sit down you f***ing monkey” during a scuffle between Playford City and Modbury Jets players during a State League elimination final on Saturday, October 9.

The remark caused uproar from the soccer community, bringing back to light the issue of racism plaguing the world game.

The incident between Modbury and Playford on October 9 put a dampener on soccer finals. Picture: Supplied

However, after an investigation which considered the video as well as evidence given by the coach, club, ground steward, and opposition coach, the disciplinary committee concluded the remark was not directed at a player nor racist.

“The disciplinary committee determined that, on all of the evidence, the words said by Mr Natale were not directed to any player and were not said, or intended to be said, in a racist manner or with any racist meaning or connotation,” Football SA said in a statement.

“It found words were directed to Playford City team officials … who were standing up off their team bench and acting in an agitated manner in response to the on-field incident.

“In light of the evidence, the disciplinary committee determined that it was appropriate to amend the charge to ‘use of offensive, insulting or abusive language,’ to which Mr Natale pleaded guilty.”

Historically, the term ‘monkey’ has been used as racial slur.

Adelaide and Carlton AFL great Eddie Betts has been subjected to racist abuse referring to monkeys in recent years.

In 2019, the comment “monkey see monkey do” was posted on a photo on the Adelaide Crows’ official Instagram account. Betts reposted it and added “when will it stop, why can’t we just play footy, why can’t we just all get along”.

Betts was subjected to another racist comment on Instagram the year prior in 2016 and had a banana thrown at him during a Showdown at Adelaide Oval.

There have also been several examples of racist abuse being directed at players in European soccer leagues, including monkey chants.

An English Premier League match in 2019 was marred when racist chants and monkey noises were allegedly directed at black Chelsea player Antonio Rudiger.

The match – against Tottenham Hotspur – was stopped three times.

Both Playford City and Modbury Jets have been contacted for comment.

Editor’s note: A previous version of this article stated the comment sparked an all-in brawl. This was not the case - the remarks were made following the on-field altercation. In addition, an earlier story incorrectly named the Modbury Jets president as John McCormack instead of Jeff McCormack. The Advertiser apologises for the errors.