AFL to investigate racial incident at JLT clash between West Coast and Port Adelaide

A RACIAL incident flared on the final siren of the JLT series opener between West Coast and Port Adelaide at Leederville Oval in Perth.

The AFL will investigate a racial incident at JLT clash between West Coast and Port Adelaide. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images)

• Betts hopes he has endured last of match-day racial vilification

A RACIAL incident flared on the final siren of the JLT series opener between West Coast and Port Adelaide at Leederville Oval in Perth.

A fan allegedly racially abused another group of spectators as people filed out of the Oval.

The man allegedly called the group “n*****s” before leaving the ground to avoid capture.

The man’s friends, who were supporting Port Adelaide, apologised to the crowd around them for the alleged racial slur.

But tensions remained high for the remainder of the match, and the man’s friends were confronted by the group after the final siren.

The two groups were eventually separated, with no punches thrown. The AFL will look through vision in an attempt to identify the man who allegedly racially abused the group.

An AFL spokesperson said: “The AFL does not tolerate anti-social behaviour on any level, and it will be dealt with as swiftly and quickly as possible.”

A Port Adelaide spokesman said on Monday morning the club wasn’t in a position to comment on the incident until it had more information from the AFL.

Just last year, Adelaide star Eddie Betts said racism was wrecking his enjoyment of the game after being subjected to racial abuse during the round-three Showdown against Adelaide.

The AFL has worked hard to crack down on racial abuse, but the issue has still reared its ugly head from time to time.