Richmond’s Bachar Houli racially abused by Crows supporter, Tigers fan says
A DISGUSTED fan says he won’t be returning to the Adelaide Oval after a Crows supporter allegedly racially vilified Richmond’s Bachar Houli in Sunday’s top-of-the-table AFL clash.
A DISGUSTED fan says he won’t be returning to the Adelaide Oval after a Crows supporter allegedly racially vilified Richmond’s Bachar Houli in Sunday’s top-of-the-table AFL clash.
Tigers supporter Tim Snelling said a male Crows supporter sitting behind him in the Eastern stand, yelled at Houli — the first devout Muslim to play in the AFL and one of the league’s multicultural ambassadors — that “he should be playing for the Bombers”.
Houli played for Essendon between 2007 and 2010.
The allegation, of which the Adelaide Oval Stadium Management Authority, the Crows and Richmond all said they were unaware, comes just three weeks after racial slurs were shouted at both Crows and Port players during Showdown 42.
Adelaide’s Eddie Betts was racially abused by Port Adelaide fans during the Showdown, while both Port and the Crows have urged a Crows fan to come forward after vile racial taunts were directed at Paddy Ryder.
Betts also had a banana thrown at him during last year’s Showdown by Port Adelaide fan Alexandra Pelosi — an act swiftly condemned by the AFL community and league boss Gillon McLachlan.
The AFL also launched an investigation into alleged racial abuse of Houli at a Richmond vs. Collingwood clash last year.
Mr Snelling, from Pooraka, said it was “sad” the alleged racist behaviour continued to occur after recent events.
“I would have thought if any supporter base would know better it’d be the Crows with what they’ve been going through,” he said.
“It just ruined the experience a little but at the end.
“My partner and I who have lived in Adelaide all our lives will not be attending any more games of AFL at the Adelaide Oval”.
A Stadium Management Authority spokeswoman urged anyone who witnessed anti-social behaviour at the Oval to contact security by texting 0400 TELL US.