Outrage as youngsters cop torrent of foul-mouthed abuse at Origin

A BRISBANE football fan claims boys aged just 6 and 9 were verbally abused in a “disgusting” attack at Wednesday night’s State of Origin match.

Charlie, 6, and Thomas Gilfillan, 9, were abused for wearing Blues gear at Wednesday’s Origin match at Suncorp Stadium. Picture: AAP/Josh Woning

A BRISBANE football fan claims boys aged just 6 and 9 were verbally abused in a “disgusting” attack at Wednesday night’s State of Origin match.

Suncorp Stadium officials are investigating claims that Charlie, 6, and Thomas Gilfillan, 9, were abused midway through their first Origin game.

The attack left the two boys so “shell-shocked” that they have refused to attend another rugby league game, says their aunt Christine Stone, who was seated with them.

Ms Stone said the abuse ­became personal when the ­offender was asked to “tone down the swearing”.

“We’ve been to sporting events all over the world … and have never experienced anything like this before,” she said.

Charlie and Thomas Gilfillan have said they don’t want to attend another league game. Picture: Josh Woning/AAP

“The f-word was repeated constantly. My brother-in-law had a Cronulla Sharks jersey on and they started screaming at him ‘f---ing Sharks scum’.

“Then they saw the boys (wearing New South Wales merchandise) and started calling them ‘little scum’.

“This kind of behaviour shouldn’t occur at sport matches, especially directed at children.”

Ms Stone said the offender at one stage told her “if you bring your kids to the football, you need to teach them to expect this (abuse)”.

“That’s what was most shocking to us because no one should be subject to that abuse,” she said.

A stadium spokesman said an investigation had been launched into whether proper measures were taken by security staff.

“Staff did attend the incident on the night, but in view of the delay that has been reported, we are investigating with the staff involved to determine if measures taken were in accordance with the stadium’s operating policies and procedures,” he said.

“We apologise for the unacceptable behaviour of the patron and we have spoken to the family involved and offered a personal apology.”