Central District apologises for racist song played during SANFL Indigenous Round clash, says it was ‘an error’

Central District has apologised after an offensive song was played during the Indigenous Round clash against Port Adelaide.

The playing of an offensive song in the halftime break of Saturday’s SANFL Indigenous Round clash between Port Adelaide and Central District was an “entirely unintentional mistake”.

Central District Football Club chief executive Kris Grant said the club was “deeply sorry” for any offence or distress the playing of 1961 song My Boomerang Won’t Come Back may have caused to anyone.

He said it was an “entirely unintentional mistake” the song was played and it was simply chosen on the day because of its title.

The song, by UK comedian Charlie Drake, was banned by ABC Radio in 2015 complaints about its racist lyrics.

An offended spectator contacted the Sunday Mail just after the song had played at Elizabeth Oval, Central District’s home ground.

Mr Grant said though an unintended error, the club acknowledged the song “was wrong and offensive”.

The 2021 SANFL Indigenous guernseys at Adelaide Oval, ahead of the Indigenous Round – pictured is (front) Abaina Davis (Sturt), Matthew Nunn (Norwood), Nick Gillard (Central District), Joel Garner (Port Adelaide) and (back) Connor McLeod (Woodville West Torrens), Ben Davis (Adelaide), Hayden Sampson (South Adelaide), Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (Glenelg), Kenny Karpany (West Adelaide) and Robbie Young (North Adelaide). Picture: David Mariuz.

He said the match day had otherwise been a fantastic celebration of SANFL’s Indigenous Round, in which the club acknowledged the outstanding contribution of Indigenous players past and present.

SANFL chief Darren Chandler also apologised on behalf of the league.

“We have spoken to the club and the decision to play the song was made only with good intentions,” he said.

“All of our clubs, including the Central District Football Club, have worked extremely hard to embrace Indigenous Round.”