SANFL confirms it is investigating claims of abusive language during Anzac Day grand final rematch between Sturt and Port Adelaide

THE SANFL has launched an investigation into crowd behaviour and claims of abusive language during Wednesday’s grand final rematch between Sturt and Port Adelaide at Unley.

Sturt midfielder Aidan Riley gets a kick in Wednesday’s win over Port Adelaide. The SANFL is investigating claims of abusive language in the crowd from the game. Picture: Matt Turner.

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THE SANFL has launched an investigation into crowd behaviour and claims of abusive language during Wednesday’s grand final rematch between Sturt and Port Adelaide at Unley.

The league has confirmed it received a complaint about abusive language in the crowd from a spectator and it had not come from the players.

How was this at Peter Motley Oval yesterday? 7965 to see the @SANFL #AnzacDay clash between @SturtFC & @PAFC and a few extra on the roof! Guess it brings true meaning to the term “full house” @penbo @AndrewFaulkner9 pic.twitter.com/NgUyWR50qR

— Zac Milbank (@zacmilbank) April 25, 2018

SANFL chief executive Jake Parkinson would not confirm which player the alleged abusive language was directed towards or detail what was supposedly said.

The league has notified both Sturt and Port Adelaide that its integrity officer is investigating the claim.

Sturt is yet to respond to The Advertiser for comment and Port Adelaide said it welcomed any investigation into the claim and would not comment until it was finished.

The Anzac Day grand final rematch drew 7900 fans to Peter Motley Oval to see the Double Blues win by 25 points.

Of major interest was the late inclusion of Sam Powell-Pepper who was cleared to play SANFL footy on the morning of the game by an AFL integrity unit after an investigation into his behaviour at a city nightclub on April 8.

Powell-Pepper was regularly booed by sections of the crowd when he went near the footy during the game as he gathered 24 disposals for the Magpies.

The 20-year-old is eligible for AFL selection next weekend against West Coast in Perth after serving a three-game ban and coach Ken Hinkley said he was ready to move on.

“I think Sam will be fine and move on and he’ll have to, and he’ll get back to playing some more football,” Hinkley said on Friday before Port flew to Melbourne to play the Kangaroos at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

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