Zac Williams subjected to racist abuse on social media after suspension

The AFL integrity unit is investigating “disgusting” online racial vilification of Zac Williams after the Blue was suspended for an off-the ball incident against Adelaide.

Zac Williams has been banned for a week. Picture: Getty Images

Carlton star Zac Williams has been racially vilified on social media.

Williams was part of the Blues’ victory against Adelaide on Sunday.

On Monday night, he copped a one-week suspension for an off-the ball incident during the game, where he dragged Crow Ben Keays out of a wrestle and pushed his head into the AstroTurf at Marvel Stadium.

Teammate Eddie Betts shared a post showing an offensive message Williams had received.

“This hurts all of us. I got you bro,” Betts posted.

AFL Players Association boss Paul Marsh called out the attack on social media.

“This vile racism will not be tolerated, it’s incomprehensible that anyone thinks it’s ok to send messages like this,” Marsh tweeted.

“As a society we need to take a stand against racist language and behaviour. If you see it, call it out and report it.”

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Zac Williams copped a one match ban for the action. Picture: Getty Images

The Blues condemned the “disgusting” abuse and reported it to the AFL integrity unit, which found the profile was fake.

Carlton boss Cain Liddle said: “It is a disgrace that people believe they can just say whatever they want to a person and think no action will be taken.”

“We will never stop calling out this sort of racist behaviour because nobody, no matter who you are, should have such vile words directed towards them.

“Zac has the entire Carlton family standing with him, he knows he has our full support but at the same time he is hurting because he has had to put up with this crap throughout his life and that simply is not good enough.

“While incredibly disheartening, not just for Zac and his family, but for all people who are vilified online, this serves as a reminder on why we remain committed to this cause.

“We will do whatever we can to continue to remind people that there is absolutely zero tolerance for vilification of any kind. It has to stop.”

BLUES FAN UPROAR OVER WILLIAMS, STEWART PENALTIES

North Melbourne legend David King says Zac Williams’ one-match suspension for pushing the head of Adelaide midfielder Ben Keays into the fake turf at Marvel Stadium was a good starting point from the AFL.

But King said Geelong star Tom Stewart should also have been banned for shoving Brisbane’s Charlie Cameron into the turf at the Gabba days prior.

After social media vision showed Williams pushing Keays’ head into the turf at Marvel Stadium in a melee, match review officer Michael Christian charged the big-money Carlton recruit with rough conduct.

King said it was the right call, but Stewart should have also copped a suspension for his act.

“As soon as you push someone’s head into the ground and it’s nothing to do with the general play, nothing to do with a football decision, then I think you run the risk of being suspended and I’m glad they have,” King said on SEN.

How many weeks has Tom Stewart been offered? pic.twitter.com/jg1mXTDdFU

— Adze (@leafy17) June 28, 2021

So Tom Stewart should buy a lottery ticket then? pic.twitter.com/NqPbqQexwX

— George (@gserafim92) June 28, 2021

“They were very similar (incidents). One was on the fake turf though and to me elevated it fractionally.

Stewart was charged with wrestling following the Cats heavy loss to the Lions, copping a $1000 sanction.

“I know it’s the act and the act you’ve got to suspend. I’m comfortable with both of those players being suspended.

“Everyone says, “oh but you want players rubbed out all the time”. As soon as you rub them out once or twice, you send a message to the 800 players that this is not going to be accepted, it won’t be tolerated and you won’t see it again.

“I’d love to know why Stewart wasn’t in the same basket as Zac Williams.”

BLUES STAR COPS ONE-MATCH ROUGH CONDUCT BAN

Sam Landsberger

Carlton star Zac Williams has been handed a one-match ban for rough conduct after footage of Williams pushing an opponent’s head into the turf went viral on social media.

Match review officer Michael Christian charged Williams with rough conduct and classified the incident involving Adelaide’s Ben Keays as intentional conduct, low impact and high contact.

Williams, 26, was flying the flag for the Blues after Darcy Fogarty floored Jacob Weitering by cannoning into his back in a marking contest during the third quarter.

Just saw this for the first time. Last thing footy needs on a day Greenwood retired with concussion https://t.co/Zfb6qx2LKH

— Jon Ralph (@RalphyHeraldSun) June 28, 2021

A melee erupted, where Williams dragged Keays out of a wrestle and pushed his head into the astroturf at Marvel Stadium.

It took the AFL until late on Monday night to release the MRO’s findings, which were headlined by Williams.

It is the $800,000 recruit’s second suspension this season and the ban sours what was his best game for Carlton.

Williams also missed the season-opener against Richmond after he was suspended for laying a bump in a pre-season match.

Coach David Teague was thrilled with the speedster’s ability to win contests behind the ball and Williams kicked a team-lifting goal during Carlton’s second-quarter surge.

Williams finished with 26 disposals and a goal. He polled seven coaches’ votes, which was behind best-on-ground Sam Walsh.

Nine other players were fined from the Blues-Crows clash, with eight of those stemming from the melee where Williams was cited.

The players must cough up a combined $10,000 if they accept the charges.

West Coast matchwinner Liam Ryan was unsurprisingly given a one-match ban for engaging in rough conduct against Western Bulldogs star Jason Johannisen.

Ryan will miss Sunday’s game against Sydney in Geelong.

Originally published as Zac Williams subjected to racist abuse on social media after suspension