‘We will act – if we have a report’: SA’s top cop says police will not take action against footy stars’ abusers until there is a complaint

The state’s top cop has weighed in on the vile racial abuse being flung at football stars, revealing what police need to be able to take official action. Have your say.

Police will not be investigating the disgusting online racial abuse hurled against footy stars Jase Burgoyne and Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera until a report is made, SA’s top cop says.

This past weekend, Port Adelaide wingman Jase Burgoyne and St Kilda star Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera publicly revealed the online racial vilification they had received post match.

Since then, the pair said they are considering escalating the matter with law enforcement.

The horrific abuse directed to Jase Burgoyne. Picture: Supplied.

Port Adelaide Football Club Jase Burgoyne. Picture: Matt Sampson/PAFC

However, although Police Commissioner Grant Stevens acknowledged the severity of the incident – he said they will not take any action against the offending until a report is made.

“In the first instance, a report needs to be made to police so we can act on the allegation,” Mr Stevens said.

“It is an offence to use a social media account or an email account or a telephone service to menace, harass, or cause offence to people.

“It is taken seriously and we will act – if we have a report.”

Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said police will not investigate the matter until they have a report. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

No report has been made as of Wednesday morning.

If a statement is made, Mr Stevens said police have tools at their disposal to act against anonymous, online abusers.

“I will say there are laws that can be used to hold people to account for their conduct and we do have processes in order to identify people who try to remain anonymous through the use of social media accounts,” he said.

“Its not always successful but we do put an effort into identifying those people and holding them responsible for some of the vile comments that are made online.”

Additionally, Mr Stevens said he would be “open to any legislative reform” that could protect victims of online abuse or make it easier for police to investigate the offence.

Originally published as ‘We will act – if we have a report’: SA’s top cop says police will not take action against footy stars’ abusers until there is a complaint