AFL club Port Adelaide is investigating racism cases, including a woman who admits to calling Adelaide's Indigenous forward Eddie Betts an ape.
The AFL’s Head of Inclusion and Social Policy, Tanya Hosch, has been asked to provide the AFL Commission with recommendations on how to stop racism in AFL.
“What we can’t do is to turn away from the fact that these incidents continue to happen and we’ve got to remain vigilant in dealing with them,” Hosch said.
“Racism is not ok in any form and it’s something that we have to continue to act on and to call it out when we see it.”
Port is also investigating claims their indigenous ruckman Paddy Ryder was racially abused by a Crows supporter during Saturday night's match between the South Australian clubs.
A 31-year-old woman says she's received death threats after labelling Betts an ape on a social media post and writing he "should go back to the zoo where him and his family belong".
The woman, Port supporter Maxine Spratt, made the comments on Facebook after Saturday's night match.
Port Adelaide are yet to make a call on the extent of Patrick Ryder's return to competition. (AAP) Source: AAP
Port is unlikely to be able to take any action against Spratt as she's not a member of the club, though Facebook has deactivated her account.
Spratt says she didn't believe calling someone an ape was racist "because I'm part Aboriginal myself", adding she was now fearing for her safety.
"There's been a few people that want to smash my face in and beat me and my partner up," she told the Seven Network.
Port said it was aware of the latest racism controversy involving the club - it banned a female member last year for throwing a banana at Betts during a game against the Crows.
"The club takes the allegations very seriously and is investigating the claims with Adelaide Oval Stadium Management," Port said in a statement.
"Port Adelaide is also investigating claims that its own player Paddy Ryder was subject to racial taunts from an Adelaide Crows spectator."
Adelaide Crows chief executive Andrew Fagan said his club "strongly condemns any such behaviour and finds it abhorrent and disgusting".
"In listening to our playing group and our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players in particular, it is clear how damaging and impactful racism is to them and their families," Fagan said in a statement on Tuesday.
"Our entire playing group and our club stand together on this, unequivocally."
AAP
