Pies champ Travis Varcoe calls for end to racist attacks on footballers

Collingwood star Travis Varcoe has pleaded for an end to “disgraceful” racial slurs and abuse targeting indigenous players, saying the athletes should be able to enjoy playing the game they love without copping attacks from fans.

Travis Varcoe says indigenous players should be able to enjoy playing the game they love without copping racial slurs from fans. Picture: David Caird

Collingwood star Travis Varcoe says indigenous players should be able to enjoy playing the game they love without copping racial slurs from fans.

Varcoe has issued a plea to footy supporters for respect, three weeks after Adelaide and former Carlton star Eddie Betts was racially abused on ­social media, and with the AFL season just eight days away.

The AFL Fans Association on Tuesday night called for club memberships to be stripped from racist supporters — as the AFL Players’ Association said footballers were sick of social media attacks, which were also having an impact on AFLW players.

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Travis Varcoe kicks at goal during the AFL JLT Community Series pre-season match against Carlton on Monday. Picture: AAP/David Crosling

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Magpies star Varcoe ­described the treatment of three-time All-Australian Betts as “a disgrace’’, saying racist slurs against indigenous players needed to stop.

“We’re going out to do what we love to do and then we get that treatment — it’s just unfair,’’ he said.

“When are we going to be allowed to just play footy? When are we going to be able to do what we love without this? It’s ­infuriating, as Eddie has done so many positive things for the game.’’

Travis Varcoe has described the treatment of three-time All-Australian Eddie Betts as “a disgrace’’. Picture: David Caird

AFL Players Association chief executive Paul Marsh said racism towards players was an industry-wide issue. Picture: Hamish Blair

After an ­offensive remark was put on his Instagram page during an AFLX match at Marvel ­Stadium, Betts himself asked: “When will it stop?’’

In 2016, he had a ­banana thrown at him while he was playing.

The shocking “monkey see monkey do” ­remark aimed at Betts on his Instagram was roundly condemned by the AFL and players, with Geelong star Patrick Dangerfield branding it: “Disgusting. ­Cowardly. Racist”.

Fans Association president Gerry Eeman said the strongest possible action should be taken against anyone found guilty of the “disgusting’’ ­behaviour, including memberships being stripped.

“They are cowardly cheap shots and those people have just got to pull their heads in.,’’ he said.

AFL Players Association chief executive Paul Marsh said it was an industry-wide issue that needed the urgent attention of the league, key players, government and clubs.

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“It’s going to require a serious effort by all these parties working together to try and put a stop to it,’’ he said. “It’s very difficult to understand how in 2019 a fan could not know this is not acceptable.

“This is an issue that has been going on for far too long, not just racism but homophobic or gender equality ­comments at AFLW players, mostly coming through social media,’’ he said.

Varcoe added: “When you get into this caper of work, you grow a thick skin, but your friends, family and loved ones are not as strong as you are.

“It has an emotional bearing on them. It’s very disheartening. No one should be treated like that, no matter if you’re Aboriginal or what your heritage is,” he said at Kayo’s launch of the Australian Grand Prix and Melbourne 400 at the MCG on Tuesday.

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