Bunyip and Warragul Industrials launch investigation after fan racially abuses players

A country Victorian football club fears two young players with African heritage may turn their backs on the league after being targeted by racial abuse at the weekend.

Two players from Warragul Industrials were subjected to racial abuse last Saturday Picture: Valeriu Campan

The Warragul Industrials Football Club has revealed two of its players who were subjected to racist remarks last weekend have genuine fears about playing in the West Gippsland league again.

A spectator hurled racial abuse at two players during Warragul Industrial’s 135-point away win against Bunyip.

The Bunyip Football Club insists the person involved was not a supporter or member at the club.

It is the second time this season the two players have been the victims of racial abuse.

The first occasion occurred against Nar Nar Goon in round five.

“These are the first cases we’ve directly seen in terms of racism (at the club),” Warragul Industrials vice-president Nick Gooden said.

“This will be the first time we’ve got two players of African heritage playing with us, which is probably more disappointing.

“We’ve got two guys from that background who are out playing football and across the space of the first half of the season we’ve had two incidents happen.”

Both players have links to AFL players and are major parts of not only the football club but the community.

The spectator involved is set to be punished but has made contact with the Dusties to offer a formal apology.

They are expected to write a letter as well, which will be read out at training on Tuesday night.

“It’s very disappointing this stuff still happens in our community,” Gooden said.

“It’s just guys out there trying to play good football and they are putting up with this stuff on the boundary.

“We’ve got the ability to attract these good talents to our club and give them somewhere to play where they feel safe and comfortable.

“Now they don’t feel safe and comfortable playing in the league.”

Gooden was full of praise for Bunyip and how the club dealt with the situation.

“Bunyip Football Club has been exceptional in the matter,” he said.

“They got to the bottom of it, found who the person was and dealt with them effectively and efficiently.

“A player from Bunyip also called out the incident on the weekend.

“He should be commended for his leadership.”

But Gooden said the same can’t be said for the league.

He was critical more wasn’t done in the first instance, which could have prevented the second from happening.

The West Gippsland Football League only released a statement on the first incident ten days after it happened.

“I think the league could make a strong stance on the situation,” Gooden said.

“We had an opportunity to do it over the past two or three weeks.

“Now is the opportunity to be more firm on the front foot.

“It’s not just our league, it’s something the region could embrace.

“It would be good to see AFL Gippsland get involved and create a region-wide awareness week or education week or something like that.”

West Gippsland league operations manager Brett Tessari said the league was working hard to make sure racism is not prevalent in their competition.

“I think the league acted straight away working with the clubs involved and then all the clubs,” he said.

“I think all clubs are working to insure this doesn’t continue.

“It is hard on the clubs to monitor all the crowd and the volunteers do the best they can.

“We will continue to assist all clubs as we go forward.”

Gooden said the club was doing starting its own initiative this weekend with all players set to wear a red armband.

The red armband, first started in the WAFL, symbolises earth, blood and life, which shows we all come from different places but we are all the same.

The armband is a sign players will commit to zero tolerance of vilification and abuse.

Bunyip is also joining the initiative while Dalyston and Inverloch-Kongwak, the opponents of Warragul Industrials and Bunyip, are expected to follow suit.

The Bulldogs will also implement an awareness and education program.

“We’ve got the opportunity to be better as a community and we will be better as a community,” Gooden said.

“We want everyone to stand by our people from all walks of life.

“We encourage every club in the state and around the country to celebrate their diversity and engage their community members around education and acceptance.”

EARLIER

Another ugly case of racial abuse has marred a senior football match in regional Victoria.

The Bunyip Football Netball Club, which plays in the West Gippsland league, is looking to punish a spectator after they racially abused two Warragul Industrials players on Saturday.

The club has revealed the incident happened during the senior came at Bunyip Recreation Reserve.

Warragul Industrials won the match by 135 points.

“It has been brought to our attention that derogatory racial remarks were aimed at a Warragul Industrials player from a spectator on the ground,” the club said in a statement.

“It is imperative to emphasise that such conduct and comments will not be tolerated within the club or community.

“Bunyip Football Club remains dedicated to fostering a secure and inclusive atmosphere where all individuals are valued and embraced.”

Bunyip stressed the spectator was not a member of the club and is not a member of the Warragul Industrials.

It’s likely the club will impose a life ban on the spectator.

Bunyip said it supported the Warragul Industrials club and player and said any further discriminatory behaviour from fans, players or members would see them punished severely.

“We will be enforcing stringent protocols to tackle this matter,” the club said.

“Any person caught engaging in discriminatory behaviour such as making racist, sexist, homophobic, or any form of derogatory remarks at our home ground will be promptly escorted out and we will actively pursue a lifetime ban for such individuals.

“Bunyip Football Club wholeheartedly offers its support to the Warragul Industrial Football Club in their endeavours to address unwarranted remarks that perpetuate racism.

“We are dedicated in collaborating to establish a secure and inclusive environment for all players, officials, supporters and community members.”