Pearcedale punished over racist slurs against Karingal player

The Mornington Peninsula Football Netball League has punished one of its clubs after a player was racially abused during a game last month.

Pearcedale has been punished over the racist slurs.

A local footy club on the Mornington Peninsula has been slapped with heavy penalties after its supporters hurled racial abuse at an opposition player last month.

The Mornington Peninsula league has handed down five heavy punishments to the Pearcedale Football Netball Club following its match against Karingal on April 20.

An investigation was launched after a spectator was accused of making racist remarks towards Karingal ruckman Agape Patolo during the division two clash.

In a volatile atmosphere at the end of the third quarter, Patolo was reported by the field umpire for striking, and Karingal accepted the two week early guilty plea.

Patolo was sent off. While he was leaving the ground spectators racially abused him.

The MPFNL released a statement on Friday morning, which said the league, in partnership with the AFL Community Football Compliance, had investigated the incident and had agreed on five penalties.

The board met on Wednesday and deemed Pearcedale to be in breach of multiple rules in the AFL National Community Football Policy.

Pearcedale’s punishments are as follows:

1. The Pearcedale FNC is to accept responsibility for the vilification which occurred and within seven days, publish an apology to the Karingal FNC player involved and the Karingal FNC for the distress caused by the comments made in respect to Karingal FNC player.

2. The Pearcedale FNC are to commit to education of its members by requiring its football and netball players and committee members and officials within four weeks from the date here on, to complete the online AFL Vilification & Discrimination Module.

3. The Pearcedale FNC are to pay a fine of $10,000 with payment to be suspended until the end of the 2025 season and waived if there is no reoffending through offensive behaviour and/or vilification.

4. The Pearcedale FNC is required to engage and fund security personnel from a supplier approved by the MPFNL Board to assist with crowd control at the Round 10 fixtured match between Pearcedale FNC and Karingal FNC.

5. The Pearcedale FNC is required to self-report to the Victorian Liquor Licensing Commission in the event of unacceptable crowd behaviour associated with the excessive use of alcohol.

“The MPFNL strongly condemns racial vilification in our football and netball community,” the MPFNL said in a statement.

“Acts of racism can trigger trauma and seriously impact the mental health of the individuals, families and communities involved.

“Racist actions and behaviours are inexcusable.”

Pearcedale is able to have the matter heard before the tribunal and it’s understood it will challenge.

Both Pearcedale and Karingal were contacted for comment.