AFL, St Kilda and the Power condemn ‘abhorrent’ racist messages sent to Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and Jase Burgoyne
The AFL, St Kilda and Port Adelaide stand united in condemning the ‘abhorrent’ racist messages sent to Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and Jase Burgoyne over the weekend.
AFL
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
AFL boss Andrew Dillon slammed anonymous trolls as “cowardly”, and said it was investigating messages sent to both Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and Jase Burgoyne Burgoyne.
“To hide behind a fake account is cowardly and I want the people that have created these online accounts and racially abused our players to know that our game does not want you,” Dillon said on Monday.
“Real fans don’t racially abuse players.
“We have been clear that there is absolutely no place for this behaviour in our sport and in society. Racism is never acceptable and these incidents demonstrate there is so much more work to be done.
“Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and Jase Burgoyne are talented footballers and remarkable young men. We acknowledge their courage to call out the hurtful and completely unacceptable remarks and offer our support to both players, their families and our broader Indigenous playing group.”
It comes just a week after a 37-year-old Huntingdale man – who had sent messages from an anonymous account to Adelaide 36ers player Montrezl Harrell – was charged with using a carriage service to menace, harass and/or offend.
He was bailed to appear at Moorabbin Magistrates Court on August 15.
The AFL integrity unit has a dedicated member for vilification issues, with referral to police ultimately up to the individual player to make a call on.
The AFL Players’ Association’s recent Insights and Impact Report revealed that 10 players had been on the receiving end of racism within the last 12 months, with the majority of those instances being via social media.
It revealed that 50 per cent of players were not satisfied by the response to the racist incident, with only 26 per cent “entirely” satisfied.
Saints chief executive Carl Dilena said on Monday that the club would wrap its arms around Wanganeen-Milera, saying the messages – sent by an anonymous account on Sunday evening – are not welcome in football or life.
“As a club we do not accept racist behaviour of any kind,” Dilena said.
“These comments are abhorrent and have no place in our game or our community.
“Beyond Nasiah’s talent on the field, he is a proud Kokatha and Narangga man who deserves to work and live free from this type of abuse. St Kilda Football Club stands firmly with Nasiah, his family and all First Nations people, and we remain committed to fostering a safe and inclusive environment for everyone.
“We fully support Nasiah and will work closely with the AFL Integrity Unit to do everything we can to identify the person responsible for these messages.“
In its own statement, the Power added: “Port Adelaide Football Club is aware of – and condemns in the strongest possible way – racist abuse directed at Jase Burgoyne following last night’s game against West Coast and abuse directed at a fellow First Nations player within the AFL competition.”
“Such abuse is reprehensible and will not, and should not, be tolerated.
“The club has advised the AFL integrity department and we look forward to working closely with the AFL to identify those responsible and sanction appropriately.
“We also encourage people who witness or experience online abuse to report and highlight it to the social media platforms on which it appears.
“Port Adelaide stands united with Jase and all First Nations players across the competition who have been subjected to racist abuse this weekend.
“As a club with deep community roots and strong connections to diverse communities, we will continue to use our platform to call out racism wherever it occurs.
“Racism and hate have no place online, at our venues, or in our community.”
Wanganeen-Milera, Burgoyne call out horrific racial vilification
– Jay Clark
St Kilda superstar Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and Port Adelaide playmaker Jase Burgoyne have been subjected to shocking online racial abuse.
Both young stars on Sunday night posted details of a series of terrible messages they received on their Instagram accounts.
Wanganeen-Milera was sent expletive-laden messages which appeared to be betting related.
After the Saints’ five-point loss to Sydney Swans, Wanganeen-Milera revealed the horrific racial abuse.
The messages from an anonymous account with zero followers said: “bro u fu----- ni---”
“Couldn’t fu------ touch the ball once more.
“U fu---- me over.”
He had 24 disposals and was tagged by James Jordon.
Wanganeen-Milera said in response to the abuse on his account “Over a game of football. Hero mate.”
St Kilda teammate Liam Stocker said in support “get a grip” and urged the troll to “put your name on it”.
The slick Saints’ playmaker is one of the best players in the league as he weighs up lucrative offers to head home to South Australia.
St Kilda on Sunday night referred the abuse to the AFL’s integrity unit.
Port Adelaide defender Jase Burgoyne also posted abuse directed at him calling him a “B---- c---” with clown emoji, which is directed at the online troll.
The AFL and AFL Players’ Association have strongly condemned racial attacks on players, saying there is no place in the game for racism.
Originally published as AFL, St Kilda and the Power condemn ‘abhorrent’ racist messages sent to Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and Jase Burgoyne
Blight: The ‘dream’ that made Robran stay at North Adelaide
In 1972, Victorian clubs were circling both Malcolm Blight and Barrie Robran. But when Blight asked his great mate if he’d ever make the jump to Melbourne, Robran’s answer was defiant.
Injury could open door for Lions rookie
Dayne Zorko is confident the Brisbane Lions have good options in their search for a replacement for the injured Noah Answerth.