‘The worst racial vilification I’ve seen at a game of footy’: Kilburn Football Club official slams Edwardstown rivals
REPORTS of vile racist taunts aimed at Aboriginal players during an amateur footy game in Adelaide on the weekend left their club reeling – and club officials demanding tough action from the league.
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CLAIMS of racial abuse hurled at Aboriginal players during an amateur football match on Saturday have triggered a call for a review into the culture of the game.
An Edwardstown player is alleged to have called his opposing Kilburn player a “welfare cheat” during the division 4 game at Blair Athol Reserve.
Grounds marshal Clifford Wilson also claimed he heard a player labelled a “black c***” and others “n*****s” by Edwardstown Football Club members on a number of occasions throughout the match.
“I heard ... others on the boundary saying ‘n*****’ to the players all through the game,” Mr Wilson said.
“A 23-year-old (Kilburn player) who was sat on the bench was copping a lot of it and was pretty upset at the clubrooms later on.
“I’ve seen this kind of thing before but this is the worst racial vilification I’ve witnessed in a game yet.”
Former Kilburn Football Club chairman of 44 years Phil Martin said many of the club’s 25-odd Aboriginal players had been left upset by the incidents.
“We get sledging all the time but this really wasn’t on, and amateur footy league has got to do something about it,” Mr Martin said.
“When you get these players using race as a weapon on the field it can have lasting mental scarring.”
Kilburn club chairman Rod Blue said there were a number of rumours but any issues had been dealt with internally.
“I won’t comment further on any other matters,” Mr Blue said.
Adelaide Football League CEO John Kernahan said there had been no official report submitted to the tribunal on the incidents as of Monday afternoon. But Mr Kernahan said he would investigate the matter further.
“The league was made aware by our umpires of the potential of an incident being reported but initial inquiries resulted in any allegations being denied by a representative of the Kilburn Football Club,” Mr Kernahan said.
“The Adelaide Footy League has consistently demonstrated its very low tolerance to anti-social behaviour and will act to reinforce those standards far and beyond social expectations.”
Port Adelaide Enfield Mayor Gary Johanson said the alleged incidents had been reported to him by concerned club members.
“There’s a strong responsibility for parents and coaches to make sure players do abide by reasonable standards of conduct,” Mr Johanson said.
“I would suggest that all players, parents, helpers and club officials ensure they’re educated on the matter of racial vilification.
“These sorts of comments are just not on – especially in this day and age.”
Mr Johanson planned to discuss the issue during a meeting with Federal Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Nigel Scullion on Wednesday.
Edwardstown Football Club president Eddie Dessmann denied the incidents.
“I’m not aware of any comments made – other than in regards to a haircut – and even if I was I wouldn’t be talking to you about it,” Mr Dessmann said.
“There’s been no report to the league so you’ve got no right to call me about this.”