Fremantle indigenous duo targeted with ‘vile, racist’ abuse on social media

Two indigenous AFL stars have become the latest players to be targeted online with the club calling out the “vile” attacks.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 08: Michael Walters of the Dockers during warm ups of the round four AFL match between Adelaide Crows and Fremantle Dockers at Adelaide Oval, on April 08, 2023, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)

Fremantle duo Michael Walters and Nathan Wilson have become the latest stars to be subjected to “vile, racist and homophobic abuse on social media”.

Wilson and Walters are the latest indigenous stars to be targeted online with the attacks being sent to the AFL Integrity Unit.

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The online attacks come in the wake of indigenous Adelaide star Izak Rankine being targeted with a racist message on Instagram.

Rankine shared the slur, from an account with zero followers or posts, and said it was “pretty disappointing to STILL have to deal with this. When will it end”.

Fremantle’s calling out of the online attacks was backed by several AFL teams while the AFL Players’ Assosciation labelled it “disgraceful.

When will it stop? This is disgraceful and we stand with you in continuing to call this out @freodockers. https://t.co/f6fsvF6vKp

— Gold Coast Suns (@GoldCoastSUNS) April 11, 2023

Again. Disgraceful. https://t.co/UlHaIkPHxx

— aflplayers (@AFLPlayers) April 11, 2023

Fremantle released a statement condemning the attacks online that continue to plague the game.

“Fremantle AFL players Nathan Wilson and Michael Walters have been subjected to vile, racist and homophobic abuse on social media,” the statement read.

“Abuse they, and no other person, should ever be subjected to.

“It’s cowardly. It’s hurtful. It’s a blight on our game and society.

“The attacks have been reported to the AFL Integrity Unit who are working to identify the perpetrators.”

CEO Simon Garlick said the Club was appalled by the remarks.

“This unnecessary and disgusting abuse should not happen and it saddens me, and everyone at our club, that it does,” Garlick said.

“Individuals that hide behind fake accounts to hurt others are pathetic and we need to be able to curb this capability on social platforms.

“The club, and no doubt the broader Freo family, will get around the players and their families to ensure they have the support they need and deserve.

“In the meantime, I urge fans to use this conversation to call out racist and homophobic slurs for the abhorrent and archaic discourse that it is.

“It has no place in our game or in our community … enough is enough.”

Michael Walters. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)

Nathan Wilson. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Rankine was targeted over the weekend with the AFL working to identify the person who had sent the message to the Crows star.

“The AFL in the strongest possible way condemns the hurtful and abhorrent racist remarks directed at one of the Adelaide Crows players over the weekend via social media,” the league said.

“We stand with the club in calling out the racist comments, comments that cause significant hurt and harm for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

“The AFLIU has been contacted by the Adelaide Crows and will now provide support for those impacted and investigate the matter, working towards identifying the individual concerned.

“We strongly support all our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players and condemn the racial vilification of anyone in the community in football.

“The AFL continues its ongoing implementation of the ‘Peek rule’ and the work never stops against vilification, especially in the online space and the challenges surrounding the identification of antagonists.

“The AFL wants to make clear, there is no place in our game for anyone who vilifies our players.”