Port Adelaide strongly condemns racist comments targeting ruckman Paddy Ryder online
Port Adelaide ruckman Paddy Ryder has been subjected to racial abuse in the latest shocking attack from online trolls.
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Port Adelaide ruckman Paddy Ryder has been subjected to racial abuse in the latest shocking attack from online trolls.
The Power released a statement on Saturday morning — just hours after their stirring upset win over West Coast in Perth on Friday night — strongly condemning the racist comments directed at Ryder on Facebook.
The comments were in reply to a Fox Footy post about the Power’s win over the Eagles which included a picture of Ryder celebrating a goal.
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An account under the name of Peter Bullen replied with a picture of three bananas and another account under the name of Matt Cooper posted a picture of a banana stand.
AFL Players’ Association boss Paul Marsh took a screenshot of the abuse and posted it on Twitter with the words:
“Proud moment: the way Paddy Ryder played in Port’s huge win. Not a proud moment: trolls who continue to vilify our Indigenous players. You’re both a disgrace and have been reported,” Marsh wrote on Twitter.
It is the latest in a series of racist taunts directed at Aboriginal players in the AFL this season after West Coast’s Liam Ryan and Adelaide’s Eddie Betts were also subjected to the vile comments online.
Ryder is expected to speak to the media when Port Adelaide returns from Perth on Saturday.
Port Adelaide issued a statement which said racism “has no place in the AFL or our society more broadly”.
“It is divisive, hurtful and not welcome,” the statement said.
“The Port Adelaide Football Club is aware of a racist social media post directed at Paddy Ryder following last night’s game in Perth.
“Port Adelaide will support Paddy and its indigenous players in dealing with the impact of this cowardly and ignorant comment, but it is clear that the AFL and its member clubs must remain vigilant in coming together to eradicate this behaviour.
“Paddy and all Indigenous players across our competition deserve so much better.”
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