Willie Rioli breaks silence amid massive backlash to ‘hatred’ post
Port Adelaide forward Willie Rioli has returned to the squad after taking a break following the fiery clash with Hawthorn last weekend.
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Port Adelaide star Willie Rioli has opened up about the level of hate and racial torment he endured on the back of his now-deleted social media post where he stated he always has and always will despise Hawthorn.
In the post Rioli said: “Play with fire, you’re gonna get burnt. My hatred for this club goes way past (sic) last year (‘s) antics, what they did to my dad and my brother, is why I can’t stand them. Not the players.”
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And while the club backed Rioli they conceded social media was not the forum to post such messages given the reaction, which included racial abuse.
As a result of the wave of abuse, Rioli shut down his account.
And Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley said there should be stronger laws to hold people accountable for abusive comments, as the 29-year-old was granted leave amid the fiery aftermath.
“It’s a disgrace,” Hinkley said Wednesday.
The AFL Players Association also came to Rioli’s defence.
“The racist and homophobic comments sent to Willie on his social media accounts are beyond unacceptable,“ AFLPA boss Paul Marsh said.
“For what feels like the 1000th time, we ask these so-called football supporters to stop racially abusing the players.”
And speaking for the first time since the ordeal as he rejoined his teammates on Wednesday, Riolo revealed he had apologised to Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell for his remarks and said his strong support network had helped him through the tough last few days.
“Man, I’m all right. It blows over pretty quickly. Got a lot of support around me and it just comes with the industry, this stuff,” Rioli told 9News Adelaide.
“Wasn’t targeted at the current playing group today and the club. I’m really close with Sammy Mitchell. I sent him an apology. I’m one of those raw people that just let my emotions sometimes get the best of me.”
Rioli will be in action for Port Adelaide’s clash with the Swans on Sunday afternoon.
Originally published as Willie Rioli breaks silence amid massive backlash to ‘hatred’ post
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