Redlegs speedster and former Crow Anthony Wilson says he has been racially villifed at two SANFL games
NORWOOD star Anthony Wilson claims he has been racially vilified by spectators at two SANFL games this season.
THE SANFL will investigate claims from Norwood star Anthony Wilson that he has been racially vilified by spectators at two matches this season.
Wilson, who was a rookie-list player at the Adelaide Crows in 2015 but didn’t play an AFL game, claims he has been the victim of racial abuse in matches against Central District at Elizabeth in round five and Sturt at Unley last Saturday.
“I heard a fan yell out some racial vilification (against Sturt), which I don’t want to say what it was, but I was pretty offended,’’ said Wilson, who played in Norwood’s 2014 premiership team. So I’ve been very anxious and very distressed over the past few days.’’
Speedy wingman Wilson, 24, told Channel 7 that it is disappointing that players still have to deal with racial slurs when there is so much education about racism.
“I can’t believe that in 2017 we are still dealing with the same issues,’’ he said.
Wilson said he had been offered support by former Crows team-mate Eddie Betts, who has been one of the key drivers of stamping racism out of the game after incidents in Showdowns in the past two seasons.
“He’s been asking how I am so I really want to thank him (for his support),’’ Wilson said.
An SANFL spokesman said the league would investigate.