Father of woman accused of throwing banana at Eddie Betts says she is being ‘demonised’
UPDATE: AFL boss Gillon McLachlan said he knew a Port Adelaide fan’s abuse of Eddie Betts was racist as soon as he saw it.
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- DAVID KOCH: Port chairman reaches out to Eddie Betts
UPDATE: AFL boss Gillon McLachlan said he knew a Port Adelaide fan’s abuse of Eddie Betts was racist as soon as he saw it.
McLachlan spoke today after a woman was exposed on social media throwing a banana at the Adelaide goalkicking star.
A man who said he was the woman’s father phoned Adelaide radio this morning saying his daughter had been “demonised” and the media had rushed to label her a racist.
But McLachlan said today there was no doubt about the nature of her attack.
“I don’t think anyone had any doubts about it. I certainly didn’t, seeing it immediately,” McLachlan said.
“I don’t think anyone should doubt that it was a racist act. A banana being thrown at an indigenous man is unambiguously racist.
“We are in 2016 and I think ultimately people have to be accountable for their actions.”
McLachlan backed Port Adelaide’s handling of the controversy which could include a life ban for the supporter.
“What happened on the weekend was unambiguously racist. We are very disappointed with that.
“We are very pleased that the behaviour was called out by so many in our community and even by Port Adelaide fans around where the incident occurred on Saturday night. We are very pleased with the swift response of the Port Adelaide Football Club and the actions they have taken.
“We continue to work towards a football environment where these incidents don’t occur. “
The woman’s mother spoke to media outside her Adelaide home on Sunday, suggesting she was expecting a police investigation.
“I am not going to talk to anyone about it, especially from The Advertiser,” she said.
“She is going to talk to the clubs, and maybe the police, but she is not going to talk to you.”
Earlier, “Don” called in to Adelaide radio station FIVEaa this morning to defend his daughter.
He said he is yet to speak to his daughter — who he claims is 27 and lives with her mother — but she has gone to ground in the wake of the incident and is “shocked”.
“Trust me (I am her father), I’m the most honest person,” the man said on FIVEaa.
“You won’t believe it, but my older sister rang me yesterday afternoon. I knew nothing about it.
“I knew the incident had occurred, and then there were people that I knew and I said ‘look, show me on the phone’, and there it was — my daughter.
“I am just absolutely shocked. I’m just beside myself. Because it’s just so uncharacteristic. This kid is a beautiful kid.
“She’s very similar to her mother — unassuming, honest. This was so uncharacteristic.”
Port Adelaide chairman David Koch said he has been in contact with Betts “every step of the way”.
“Eddie said, quite rightly, ‘it can’t be us against them’,” he said.
“We’re one mob and it is all about educating and learning and bringing along.
“If we can change this lady and we can change her group of friends … it’s a step forward, and that’s what we’ve got to do.”
INDEFINITE: BANANA THROWER BANNED FOR RACIAL ABUSE
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Koch said the incident had cut the club “to the core” but slammed suggestions Port had taken too long to act on the incident.
“It’s incredibly disappointing,” Koch said on SEN.
“It has absolutely no part in footy and no part of the Port Adelaide Football Club. It hurts us. We take it personally, because we pride ourselves on having the most number of Aboriginal players playing for an AFL club and we have award-winning Aboriginal community programs.
“This really stings when incidents like this happen.”
A Port Adelaide investigation deemed that it was “clear that the offender’s behaviour was racially motivated”, with the man adamant that there is “no way” it was planned.
“No way in the world (it was premeditated),” he said.
“Unless my daughter was on drugs overnight, no way in the world.
“I accept that (throwing objects at players is wrong), but don’t demonise someone. The thing that irritates me the most is that we’re playing the racist card here. It was more an act of frustration than a racist act where she’s thrown a banana.
“You people in the media … you can sensationalise anything.”
The man said he “is not condoning what she’s done” but maintains the woman should not be banned from attending AFL games for life.
“Don’t demonise this human being, because I know what she’s like,” he said.
“You don’t know what kind of person (she is). She threw a banana in what, to me, was more in frustration. There’s a guy at St Kilda that used to irritate me — his name was Stephen Milne. If that banana’s thrown at Stephen Milne, no fuss would be made about it.
“You’re playing the racist game. I’m not condoning what she’s done.
“This is called media rubbish. Why do you people sensationalise things?
“(Should she be banned) totally? No. In this country, the law says you are innocent until you’re proven guilty. Sure, she’s committed an act. Why not give her the chance to explain?
“I haven’t spoken to her, because I can’t get hold of her. She has been ripped apart by this.
“Believe me, if you knew the young lady, you would say ‘what a shame’. If my daughter was a ratbag … I wouldn’t do what I’m doing. I know what this kid’s like.
“I’ve got a beautiful daughter and I’m proud of her and you guys are trying to demonise this kid.”
Hawthorn star and AFLPA Indigenous Advisory Board chairmain Shaun Burgoyne said he was happy with the swift reaction to the incident.
“There’s no room for racism of any form in our game and we are saddened that incidents of this nature continue to occur,” he said in a statement.
“We want fans to be passionate and cheer for their team, but there’s a line and it was clearly crossed on this occasion.
“Eddie Betts is one of the most popular players in the game and his 250th match should have been a time for celebration.
“The AFL industry is taking great strides to ensure Aussie Rules is a game for everyone, but this serves as a reminder that more work needs to be done.
“We are buoyed by the emphatic response from the community and hope this incident provides an opportunity for further education.”
Crows chief executive Andrew Fagan praised both clubs, Adelaide Oval and the AFL for acting quickly and appropriately.
“There is no room for this type of behaviour in our game,” he said.
“It should not be tolerated and we don’t want people like that attending our football matches.”
Originally published as Father of woman accused of throwing banana at Eddie Betts says she is being ‘demonised’