Port fan who threw banana at Eddie Betts during Showdown 41 banned ‘indefinitely’ by Port Adelaide
SEE THE VIDEO: A Port Adelaide member who threw a banana at Crows star Eddie Betts has been “indefinitely” banned from footy — and some of the strongest condemnation of her racist attack has come from fellow Power fans.
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A PORT Adelaide member who threw a banana at Adelaide Crows star Eddie Betts in a racially charged attack has been “indefinitely” banned from Power games.
The woman was filmed hurling the banana at Betts in the dying seconds of the Crows Showdown win after the mercurial forward’s fifth goal in his 250th game.
Following an investigation on Sunday, the Port Adelaide Football Club said it was “clear that the offender’s behaviour was racially motivated” and slapped her with the indefinite ban from games.
The woman’s actions, which included allegations that she called Betts a “monkey”, have been universally condemned.
Fellow players, the clubs, the Stadium Management Authority and Premier Jay Weatherill all denounced the attack.
Betts failed to join his teammates for a recovery session at Henley Beach on Sunday morning and declined to comment on the matter.
Port Adelaide has offered to speak with the woman and invited her to take part in the club’s Aboriginal cultural awareness programs.
“After talking to witnesses it is clear that the offender’s behaviour was racially motivated and is therefore a significant breach of the club’s values and spectator code of conduct,” the club said in a statement late Sunday.
“Port Adelaide will meet with the offender in the coming days to offer her an opportunity to take part in the club’s industry leading Aboriginal cultural awareness programs.
“As part of this program Port Adelaide’s Aboriginal programs manager Paul Vandenbergh and the club’s seven Aboriginal players would educate her on cultural issues that continue to have an impact on the Aboriginal community today and the hurt which actions such as hers cause others.”
The woman was in hiding on Sunday and also pulled down social media profiles.
Earlier, Port Adelaide president David Koch had threatened a lifetime ban if the incident was found to be a case of racial abuse.
“We will revoke her membership,” he said. “It’s against the law No. 1 and against our code of conduct.”
In the video footage of the incident, fellow forward Josh Jenkins is seen to intercept the projectile and later confirmed it was a banana.
Throwing bananas at black players has been notorious as a racist attack in European and English football since the 1970s and ’80s.
Port Adelaide fans took to social media in disgust at their fellow fan’s behaviour.
A post on The Alberton Crowd Facebook page said: “To the idiot who thought it would be a great idea to throw a banana at eddie betts, well done. You’ve now tainted all Port fans with the same brush and we will hear about how feral we are all week.”
A post from a Port fan near the incident alleged that the woman called Betts a monkey and also accused her of bad behaviour at previous games.
“This happened in the row in front of me. I am proud to say that I yelled at her and told her she took it too far,” one man posted.
“She responded by saying, but he’s a monkey. I yelled back, no, ur just a racist.
“All year we’ve had to put up with her foul mouth ... in front of our kids.”
Adelaide Oval Stadium Management Authority chief executive officer Andrew Daniels branded the incident “appalling and totally unacceptable”.
“The Adelaide Oval takes these matters very seriously. Racial vilification is totally unacceptable,” Mr Daniels said.
“Whether or not it is racially motivated, the hurling of objects is absolutely banned at the Adelaide Oval.”
Mr Andrews said stadium authorities would enforce a ban, if that penalty was imposed on the spectator by Port Adelaide and the AFL. Any total ban from Oval events, if requested, would be discussed with Cricket Australia.
He said CCTV footage would be made available to police if necessary.
An SA Police spokeswoman said no complaints had been received about the incident and it was being handled, at this stage, by the clubs and AFL.
Adelaide Crows chief executive Andrew Fagan and captain Taylor ‘Tex’ Walker took to Twitter to vent their outrage.
Fagan called the incident “abhorrent” and “disgusting”, saying: “Expect strongest possible action to be taken against those throwing objects at our players.”
While Walker tweeted: “Absolutely disgusting! Shouldn’t ever be allowed back into enjoy the football. Very disappointing.”
The AFL also issued a statement on Sunday, condemning the incident.
“The AFL abhors anti-social behaviour and has informed the club it will provide whatever assistance is required for the club to deal with the matter,” it said.
“The AFL wishes to repeat for the record that such behaviour in any form will not be tolerated and the game must be a welcoming environment for all players and supporters.”
Premier Jay Weatherill, a Port supporter who was at Saturday night’s Showdown, declared throwing a banana at Betts appeared to be a particularly nasty form of racist comment.
“I was at the game last night and I think I can speak for the vast majority of Port fans when I say we were all shaking our heads in disbelief at Eddie Betts’ skills and flair,” Mr Weatherill said.
“He won the game single handed — he is a rolled gold champion.
“As for the idiot who thought throwing a banana was funny, it wasn’t. It appears this was just a particularly nasty form of racist comment.
“I am pleased the club has taken strong and immediate action.”
- with Andrew Hough
Absolutely disgusting! Shouldn't ever be allowed back into enjoy the football. Very disappointing. https://t.co/F6uzjvvFWK
— Tex Walker (@texwalker13) 20 August 2016
Passion is what's greatest about the @AFL - but allowing passion to become frustration & throwing things is awful & sets a horrific example
— Josh Jenkins (@JoshJenkins24) 21 August 2016
As for the idiot who thought throwing a banana was funny, it wasn't. It appears this was just a particularly nasty form of racist comment.
— JayWeatherill (@JayWeatherill) August 21, 2016
On advice of @pafc Aboriginal leaders decided indefinite ban & opportunity to undertake cultural awareness program https://t.co/Nd9SGpDwWj
— David Koch (@kochie_online) 21 August 2016
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