Joel Wilkinson: Gold Coast warns players over 2013 blackface incident

Players and staff at Gold Coast Suns have been warned “blackface” is unacceptable amid controversy over a 2013 incident involving former player Joel Wilkinson.

Gold Coast called two separate meetings with players and staff earlier this week to reinforce the message that “blackface” is unacceptable in any form, in the wake of the Joel Wilkinson racism storm.

It is understood the Suns made the decision to further educate the group and stress that even if a player gained permission from a teammate to imitate their appearance, it was inappropriate as others could still find it offensive.

FULL REPORT: WILKINSON DETAILS PAIN OF BLACKFACE INCIDENT

It came as the Herald Sun revealed images of two of Wilkinson’s former Suns teammates — who are white — wearing blackface at a club “Wacky Wednesday” in 2013.

The AFL, Gold Coast and the two players involved apologised to Wilkinson over the incident on Friday.

The images show Wilkinson’s then-teammates Leigh Osborne and Alex Sexton painted with black faces at a non-sanctioned club event eight years ago.

Sexton, who is still with the Suns, and former Gold Coast player Tim Sumner – who is indigenous – agreed to dress up as each other at the 2013 function.

While Sumner had no issue with what occurred, Wilkinson – who is of Nigerian descent – was “mortified” at what took place that day.

The Herald Sun’s front page on Saturday.

Osborne had informed Wilkinson prior to the event that he intended to dress up as him, to which Wilkinson said: “Don’t make a mockery of me.”

Osborne has now apologised, saying: “The first time I became aware that Joel was upset about what I did was when I found out about his complaint … in 2018.”

It is believed current Gold Coast officials were made aware of the incident after Wilkinson’s Australian Human Rights Commission case that ran from 2018 to late 2019, which left him dissatisfied with the AFL and the legal process.

The Suns’ hierarchy then raised the matter individually with players who had been at the club at that time, but expanded that conversation this week to the entire group and staff to reinforce the message.

Joel Wilkinson pictured during his time at the Suns.

Gold Coast only has six players remaining on its playing list from that 2013 season.

Former Collingwood defender Heritier Lumumba pledged his support to Wilkinson on Saturday, tweeting: “The AFL attacked @joelwilkinson for celebrating his culture, by telling him his attire = black face.”

The AFL attacked @joelwilkinson for celebrating his culture, by telling him his attire = black face.

“What’s dangerous is they speak of embracing black people and other cultures, but this is how they view us if we represent who we are.” @joelwilkinsonhttps://t.co/tiBCI6RTzY

— Héritier Lumumba (@iamlumumba) February 26, 2021

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John Witheriff, who was the Suns’ chairman in 2013, did not wish to comment when contacted on Saturday.

Witheriff said: “The one thing I have done since I resigned as chairman is that I never make public comments about the Suns, and I don’t intend to start doing so now.”

Originally published as Joel Wilkinson: Gold Coast warns players over 2013 blackface incident