AFL 2023: Spectator accused of racially abusing Brisbane’s Charlie Cameron at Marvel Stadium

The AFL have launched an investigation into alleged racial abuse of Brisbane’s Charlie Cameron by a spectator at Marvel Stadium on Friday night.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 18: Charlie Cameron (left) and Harris Andrews of the Lions celebrate during the 2023 AFL Round 23 match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Brisbane Lions at Marvel Stadium on August 18, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

An investigation is underway after a spectator was accused of making racist remarks towards Brisbane star Charlie Cameron during Friday night’s game against Collingwood.

Brisbane, Collingwood and the AFL are working together on an investigation into the accusations, after a man was called out on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Friday night for allegedly making comments from the crowd towards Cameron.

Cameron starred for the Lions in win that could help secure a top-two finish, booting four goals in a typically electric display up forward.

Charlie Cameron celebrates a goal with his customary Harley rev. Picture: Michael Klein.

Both clubs, Collingwood and Brisbane, confirmed on Saturday morning they were aware of the incident and that it had been referred to the AFL.

Former Channel 9 and Triple M Brisbane news reporter Joseph Ogilvie posted on X on Friday night that fans around the alleged perpetrator called out the man for his behaviour.

AFL players have been hit by consistent racism online and in person this season.

Western Bulldog youngster Jamarra Ugle-Hagan was on the end of what his club described as “harmful and abhorrent racist remarks” during a game at Marvel Stadium against St Kilda in March.

Port Adelaide’s Willie Rioli reposted racist comments directed at him through Instagram after a game against Collingwood last month, while others including Fremantle’s Michael Walters and Adelaide forward Izak Rankine have received online hate this year.

Have removed previous tweet due to unhinged comments it was generating. Also the AFL, and Collingwood are investigating the incident and believe we have the name of the man involved. We cannot standby and let racism happen - calling it out is the ONLY option. 1/3.

— Joseph Ogilvie (@jogilvie_9) August 19, 2023

Collingwood CEO Craig Kelly said in the wake of the Rioli comments that racism had no place in football.

“There is no room for racism in our game and we will not tolerate it – not on the field, off the field or online,” Kelly said in July.

“All of us have a responsibility to call out this behaviour and our club is committed to playing a role in educating as many members of the wider community as possible.”

The AFL announced in May any fans found guilty by the league of racial vilification would be hit with lifetime bans from attending AFL games and multiple people have already been banned in 2023.

The AFL hasn’t made public the result of investigations into specific incidents throughout this season.