Anti-domestic violence campaigner Charlie King says NTFL clubs must publicly own their mistakes

An anti-domestic violence campaigner says Top End football clubs must show greater leadership when controversies emerge.

Territory female football fans “would reel” from allegations several Nightcliff supporters were abused by a member of an opposition club, a prominent anti-domestic violence campaigner says.

This publication revealed the Saints member reportedly called the Tigers supporters “b-----s and s---s” at the Nightcliff Sports Club following a November 12 Men’s Premier League match between both clubs.

The clubs have declined to comment, or reveal the penalty that was reportedly kept confidential.

AFLNT confirmed the matter was handled internally by St Mary’s and Nightcliff as part of its complaints process – because the incident happened at a private sporting club – but has so far declined to comment further on the matter when probed by this publication.

Broadcaster and anti-domestic violence campaigner Charlie King said football clubs needed to show greater leadership when controversies emerged. Picture: (A)manda Parkinson.

However, ABC commentator Charlie King said women within the NTFL community “would reel” following the allegations and footy clubs needed to show stronger leadership when controversies emerged.

Stopping short of calling on the Saints to reveal the identity of the member, issue a statement or clarify what the penalty was, King said football clubs should not go to ground.

He said leaders of clubs needed to set the standard for all members, with players influenced by them more than anybody else.

“You damage the brand of your club,” King said.

“Not speaking about it, not apologizing about it, doesn’t help the protection of the brand, in fact it makes it worse.

“It’s ducking and dodging and bobbing and weaving.

“You can’t do that, you’ve got to own the responsibility.”

The St Mary’s Football Club member reportedly left the Nightcliff Sports Club quickly after the incident. Picture: Che Chorley.

He said it was “not the end of the world” for a club to admit fault, pointing to PINT Football Club’s statement last month following one of its players being sanctioned for an incident after its Women’s Premier League grand final win, where a porn video was broadcast.

“Own the responsibility and then work with organisations to provide training and support so it stops happening,” he said.

“There are agencies that provide such services.

“Otherwise it sets a bad example for young men in particular.

“You can’t hide from it. It just makes it worse.

“There’s no solution in hiding from it. None whatsoever.”

He also said clubs not fully acknowledging certain issues could impact their bottom line, leaving sponsors considering their commitment.

King doubled down on his previous comments to this publication that all new arrivals at clubs, from players, coaches, managers to even presidents, needed to be fully screened with police checks.

The incident allegedly occurred after a November 12 match between Nightcliff and St Mary’s. Picture: Supplied.

“Screening can be a useful tool for clubs to send a message that they are serious about their commitment to building a club culture where risk to vulnerable people is taken seriously,” he said.

“We are continually being faced with club behaviour that undermines our collective efforts to bring about change that increases the safety of women.

“Police checks are a way of identifying red flags and while not the be and end all we know that we have to bring together a whole range of strategies if we are going to make any inroads.”

He said those that criticise such actions showed their ignorance about the culture that exists within a lot of sporting clubs.

St Mary’s and AFLNT declined to comment when contacted by this publication.

St Mary’s Football Club member allegedly abused female supporters

A St Mary’s Football Club member allegedly used derogatory language towards several female Nightcliff supporters following a game in November, shocking patrons and bar staff.

However, this publication understands AFLNT referred the matter to both clubs to investigate and ultimately settle under its complaints process.

The league confirmed it received an official complaint from Nightcliff after the November 12 incident at the Nightcliff Sports Club following a Men’s Premier League match between the Tigers and the Saints.

News Corp understands the comments – allegedly containing the words “b-----s and s---s” – were directed towards female members of the club and the incident was reportedly witnessed by bar staff and patrons.

The AFLNT declined to investigate the complaint from Nightcliff Football Club. Picture: Darryl Gregory.

The Saints member left the premises shortly after, according to a Nightcliff supporter who contacted this publication and several other sources.

In an email, the long time member of the Nightcliff Sports Club said it was a “very disturbing and disgusting” incident.

This publication is aware Nightcliff, who attained CCTV footage, requested the matter be investigated.

However, the league reportedly referred the matter to be settled between both clubs as the incident occurred in a non-AFLNT run venue.

“An informal complaints process was managed by the respective clubs,” a league spokesman said.

A spokesman for Nightcliff Football Club said the matter had been dealt with and had no further comment to make.

St Mary’s Football Club declined to comment.

Originally published as Anti-domestic violence campaigner Charlie King says NTFL clubs must publicly own their mistakes