Gillon McLachlan says AFL will deal with racism in ‘absolute terms’ after Showdown slurs

THE AFL remains resolute in its desire to eradicate racism with CEO Gillon McLachlan says incidents from Saturday’s Showdown have “no place in the game”.

AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan. Picture: Sarah Matray

THE AFL remains resolute in its desire to eradicate racism from the game following incidents from last weekend’s Showdown in Adelaide, which chief executive Gill McLachlan said were un-Australian and won’t be tolerated.

In the wake of two separate off-field incidents in the Port Adelaide-Adelaide clash last Saturday night, including one where Crow Eddie Betts was racially vilified, McLachlan said the game had to continue to make a strong stand.

He said the AFL was considering a raft of initiatives as it pushes for a zero-tolerance attitude towards racism, urging fans to continue to keep calling out unacceptable behaviour.

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“The message I want to make is that from (AFL) Commission chairman Richard Goyder down, we are resolute in tackling these issues, and calling them out,” McLachlan said.

“Racism wounds people, it hurts communities, and racism has no place in our game. We have come a long way on field and we have come a long way off field, but there are still isolated instances.

“We are going to keep tackling them, we are going to keep calling them out and we are going to keep working with our supporters and our fans ... we will deal with this issue in absolute terms.”

AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan.

McLachlan said he had spoken to the appropriate people involved in the incidents from the Showdown, but would not reveal if one of them was Betts, or what was discussed.

But he said he didn’t fear some players would walk away from the game as a result of the behaviour of a small number of fans.

McLachlan said he did not want to isolate the racism in terms of individual states or matches, saying it was an issue that needed to be addressed across the board.

He revealed he had spoken to the AFL’s general manager of social policy and inclusion, Tanya Hosch, to discuss further initiatives, which included working closely with the 18 clubs, its media partners, venue managers and individuals.

“The vast majority of our supporters are incredible, passionate supporters who believe in equality,” he said.

“But there are still small pockets that are not on board and we will call that out.

“Part of that is the education process, but there are also more specific initiatives we can do.”