Dandenong City players, a coach and parents accused of anti-Semitic abuse towards Jewish girls
Victoria’s peak soccer body is investigating after Jewish girls reportedly copped vile anti-Semitic abuse from Dandenong City soccer club players, a coach and parents during a match at Caulfield Park.
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Victoria’s peak soccer body is investigating after Jewish girls reportedly copped “anti-Semitic abuse” on the sporting field.
Dandenong City players, a coach and parents have been accused of verbally abusing the teen girls during an U18 match at Caulfield Park on Sunday, with witnesses hearing some players yell “f** k Israel” and chant “free Palestine”.
The troubling incident, which is being probed by Football Victoria, came as a pro-Palestine protester was spotted holding up a portrait of terrorist leaders in the CBD.
Footage shows the man showing off a framed photo of slain Hamas leaders Yaha Sinwar and Ismail Haniyeh. At the protest, a primary-school aged girl also led chants of “Zionists, Zionists go back home” to the crowd. Most Jews consider themselves Zionists, which is defined as someone who believes in Israel’s right to exist.
It comes as the Netanyahu government in Israel continues its deadly bombardment of Gaza and follows its 12-day war with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Jewish leaders are now sounding the alarm over another wave of anti-Semitism in Victoria, fearing support for terrorism and Jewish hatred has become normalised.
They are urging Football Victoria to conduct a full investigation into the reports of “anti-Jewish” comments, saying the “vile behaviour” cannot be tolerated.
In an email sent to parents on Monday, seen by the Herald Sun, the Maccabi Football Club said a Dandenong City player had “directed abusive language and a chant of “Free Palestine” towards one of their players before others joined in.
“This was quickly followed by further swearing from other DCSC players towards our team,” they wrote.
“After the game concluded, the DCSC coach and some parents also directed abusive language towards our girls.”
Football Victoria confirmed with the Herald Sun that it was investigating but could not comment further.
Zionism Victoria president Elyse Schachna said it was “deeply disturbing” that the alleged behaviour was reportedly “echoed by a coach and some parents”.
“It is absolutely unacceptable that children and teenagers are being subjected to anti-Semitic abuse on the sporting field – a place that should embody fairness, teamwork, and mutual respect,” she said.
Jewish Community Council of Victoria chief executive Naomi Levin called on the league to reiterate that all participants, including Jewish soccer players, had the right to compete safely in community sport without being subjected to “racism or hate speech”.
Dandenong City Soccer Club said it was working with Football Victoria and that the club “does not condone or tolerate any form of discrimination”.
Originally published as Dandenong City players, a coach and parents accused of anti-Semitic abuse towards Jewish girls
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