AFL 2021: Players and clubs call out trolls as racism rears its ugly head once again

Matt Parker and Brad Hill are the latest AFL players to be targeted by racist online trolls. When will it stop?

Richmond debutant Matt Parker was targetted by a racist online troll. Picture: Michael Klein

Calls are growing louder for social media outlets to identify racist trolls after Richmond’s Matt Parker became the latest target.

Parker, who made his debut for the Tigers on the Gold Coast last weekend, called out racist abuse he received post-game and asked, “Honestly, when will it stop?”

Richmond threw its support behind Parker and declared it condemned the racist attack, which came a day after St Kilda declared “enough is enough” when its midfielder Brad Hill was the subject of online abuse.

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Richmond debutant Matt Parker was targetted by a racist online troll. Picture: Michael Klein

The Saints took the step of calling out the abuse in a statement on the club’s social media accounts after Hill’s fiancee was sent a racist message about the midfielder in the wake of the team’s loss to Port Adelaide on Saturday.

The AFL Fans Association also condemned the abuse of Parker and urged all fans to call it out.

But Lions veteran Mitch Robinson went further and said social media companies needed to do more to ensure the identity of any “disgusting and pathetic humans” could be uncovered after his teammate Charlie Cameron was targeted.

“When will social media have compulsory ID when creating accounts. Disgusting and pathetic humans,” he wrote on Twitter.

We are strong. We are powerful. We are worthy. pic.twitter.com/NFew99SwoA

— KGI (@KorinGamadji) July 19, 2021

The AFL Fans Association condemns this behaviour and urges fans to call it out. #AFLhttps://t.co/Nzyd1WQcs9

— AFL Fans Association (@FansAFL) July 19, 2021

This is disgusting! Why does this keep happening! Thoughts are with Matt Parker https://t.co/1sQEVRkhpZ

— Drew Semmens (@drewie_5) July 19, 2021

The abuse towards Hill followed a similar attack on his Saints teammate Paddy Ryder last month.

St Kilda said online racism would not be tolerated.

“This has to stop,” the Saints said in a statement on social media.

“A loss is a loss. It does not give people the right to racially abuse or personally vilify a player, their family or anyone in the community.

“Too many times this year, our players and their loved ones have been victim to this type of abuse – enough is enough.”

AFL Players Association chief executive Paul Marsh condemned the online abuse, which he has done regularly when any players have been targeted. .

“Racism is a despicable act that has no place in our game or society,” Marsh wrote on Twitter.

“We have again seen multiple incidents over the weekend directed at players. It’s time for it to stop.

“Time for everyone to reject this hatred and remember there are human beings hurt every time this happens.

Bradley Hill was the subject of racist abuse. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

SAINTS SLAM ONLINE TROLLS AFTER ‘REPULSIVE’ RACIST ABUSE

St Kilda has declared “enough is enough” after its midfielder Brad Hill was the subject of online racist abuse.

The Saints took the step of calling out the abuse in a statement on the club’s social media accounts after Hill’s fiancee was sent a racist message about the midfielder in the wake of the team’s loss to Port Adelaide on Saturday.

Hill’s fiancee shared the message on Instagram, labelling it “revolting, repulsive racist behaviour”.

This has to stop. pic.twitter.com/ismquBSDUI

— St Kilda FC (@stkildafc) July 18, 2021

And in another incident, Brisbane Lions veteran Mitch Robinson also called out online abuse referencing his family and teammate Charlie Cameron.

The abuse towards Hill followed a similar attack towards his Saints’ teammate Paddy Ryder last month.

St Kilda said the abuse had to stop and online racism would not be tolerated.

“This has to stop,” The Saints said in a statement on social media.

“A loss is a loss. It does not give people the right to racially abuse or personally vilify a player, their family or anyone in the community.

“Too many times this year, our players and their loved ones have been victim to this type of abuse – enough is enough.

“If you engage in online abuse, you are not with us.

“Together we rise above and help stamp out racism.”

I genuinely don’t understand what is wrong with today’s society. This happens regularly. You sit behind a screen and shit to me but when you speak about my kids you cross the line.

When will social media have compulsory ID when creating accounts. Disgusting and pathetic humans. pic.twitter.com/1qEo7pQZM3

— Mitch Robinson (@MitchRobinson05) July 18, 2021

Robinson also shared screen shots of abuse directed towards Hill, his family and Cameron.

“I genuinely don’t understand what is wrong with today’s society. This happens regularly. You sit behind a screen and sh*t to me but when you speak about my kids you cross the line,” Robinson wrote on Twitter.

“When will social media have compulsory ID when creating accounts. Disgusting and pathetic humans.”

Racism is a despicable act that has no place in our game or society. We have again seen multiple incidents over the weekend directed at players. It’s time for it to stop. Time for everyone to reject this hatred & remember there are human beings being hurt every time this happens

— Paul Marsh (@Marsh_Paul) July 18, 2021

AFL Players Association chief executive Paul Marsh condemned the online abuse.

“Racism is a despicable act that has no place in our game or society,” Marsh wrote on Twitter.

“We have again seen multiple incidents over the weekend directed at players. It’s time for it to stop.

“Time for everyone to reject this hatred and remember there are human beings hurt every time this happens.”