Port Adelaide forward Willie Rioli the target of racist abuse online during Showdown 56

Port Adelaide and the Crows have condemned a racist online post directed at small forward Willie Rioli during the Power’s Showdown 56 win on Saturday night.

Port Adelaide has called out “abhorrent and unacceptable” racial abuse directed at Indigenous small forward Willie Rioli.

Rioli was the subject of a racist social media post during Saturday night’s 22-point Showdown win over the Crows at Adelaide Oval.

Adelaide has confirmed it is investigating but “the individual involved is not a Crows member”.

The AFL’s Integrity Department has also been notified.

Willie Rioli celebrates a goal during Saturday night’s Showdown. Picture: Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“The club condemns all forms of racism. It causes deep harm and distress beyond the individual the words are directed at,” Port Adelaide said in a statement.

“Racism is abhorrent, unacceptable and never welcome – not in football, not anywhere.

“The club is supporting Willie and his family and will continue to use its platform to educate.”

Rioli trained at Alberton on Monday with his teammates, minus Dan Houston who was given the day off as he awaits his fate at the Tribunal for his bump that concussed Crow Izak Rankine.

Port Adelaide assistant coach Tyson Goldsack said the game and society needed to do better.

“I have not spoken to him personally today, as a society it is just not a good look,” he said.

“Regardless of the supporter base it comes from as a society you just don’t need that.

“There is no place for it in life or in football for that.”

Goldsack said the Power would be there for Rioli, “whatever he needs” in the wake of the attack.

“We are a club that supports each other,” he said.

In a statement the Crows confirmed the AFL’s involvement, and echoed the thoughts of their cross-town rival

“Adelaide is investigating reports of a racial slur being directed at a Port Adelaide player via social media on the weekend,” the club said.

“The individual involved is not a Crows member however, the club condemns in the strongest possible manner this disgusting behaviour and reiterates there is no place for racism in our game and society.

“It is extremely disappointing that our industry once again finds itself dealing with such unacceptable behaviour.”

Rioli was subject to racist abuse online in the wake of the Power’s loss to Collingwood in July last year.

In September the parents of a Trinity Grammar student who sent a racially abusive Instagram message to Rioli said the school’s expulsion of him could cause “an insurmountable level of psychological harm”.

Originally published as Port Adelaide forward Willie Rioli the target of racist abuse online during Showdown 56