AFL praises Eddie Betts for calling out shocking racist attack on his children

The AFL and Victorian Premier have stood behind Eddie Betts for calling out a disgusting racial attack targeting his children while they played basketball in their own front yard.

The AFL has commended Indigenous champion Eddie Betts for courageously calling out distressing racism targeting his children, who were playing basketball at home on Thursday night.

Betts posted security camera footage of a white car slowly driving past his house in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs before someone in the car venomously screamed a vile racist slur multiple times.

Betts’ children were playing basketball in the front yard during the incident.

The AFL reached out to the Betts family on Friday to offer its support.

League boss Andrew Dillon praised Betts’ leadership during what must have been a distressing time.

Eddie Betts' family were racially abused at home while playing basketball. Picture: Instagram

Betts shared CCTV footage of the driver yelling racial abuse at his children. Picture: Supplied

“Once again, we find ourselves in a position where we must express our strongest condemnation against another example of overt racism, this time targeting children playing sport in their own front yard,” Dillon said.

“We acknowledge the leadership of Eddie Betts for bringing this to national attention. Racism is wrong. Racism is harmful. Racism requires a response.

“The AFL takes this opportunity to remind everyone at all levels of the game, that racist behaviour is never welcome. Anywhere.

“We invite everyone to follow Eddie’s example in calling out racism when you hear, read or see it. We invite everyone to report racism wherever possible.

“The AFL wish to express our love and best wishes for healing, for the children and families who were subject to the racist abuse shared in the video last night.

“We wish to stand with Eddie and his family and thank him for bringing this disturbing behaviour to our attention.

The Betts family. Picture: Instagram via @eddiebthe3rd

“We must not look away, rather we must stand together to play our part to reduce racism.”

Victoria police on Friday said they are investigating the incident.

“Victoria Police have now received a report in relation to verbal racial abuse toward children outside a property,” police said in a statement.

“It’s alleged a vehicle drove past the property just after 8.30pm and yelled from the windows before driving away. The matter is currently being investigated.”

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan slammed the incident as “sickening” and “disgusting”.

“There’s no place for this sort of sick behaviour in Victoria,” she said.

“Let kids be kids. Let kids play in their own backyard … and leave them alone.

“I can’t fathom what would go through someone’s mind that they would pull up alongside kids playing basketball in their own backyard and deliver that sort of sick racial abuse.

“I can’t understand that. I think many Victorians would be disgusted by this behaviour.”

Ms Allan urged Victorians to call out racial behaviour.

”It is so not ok,” she said.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui

Ms Allan said her thoughts are with the Betts’ family.

“We send a lot of love and thoughts to Eddie and his family at what is a pretty tough time,” she said.

“He’s talked a lot about his own personal experience with racism and he’s been a strong and proud Indigenous man,”

“It must be pretty painful to see his kids to go through that.”

Showing his typical class, Betts offered to have a chat to the perpetrator to educate them about the hurt such incidents caused.

“Aboriginal kids deserve to be able to play safely, free from racism and abuse over the fence,” Betts said.

“We are not even safe in our own homes. If you know who this is please let them know that I’m open to having a chat about how much this hurts our kids.”

At 9am on Friday morning Betts posted footage of his kids back on the basketball court shooting hopes.

He wrote: “Thanks everyone for your support. It’s not going to stop the kids from playing ball”.

Betts has long been a leader in this space and has a strong rapport from the Indigenous cohort of AFL players.

Dillon’s leadership has also been praised widely this week.

Previously he took a strong and honest stance on the illicit drugs saga by backing in club doctors who were obliged to protect their players from breaching the WADA code.

Now the new league chief executive has gone on the front foot immediately to support Betts, who is a much-loved champion of the game.