Australian Football League (AFL) General Manager Football Operations Adrian Anderson today said that a resolution had been reached regarding a racial vilification complaint involving an AFL player and spectator at last Sunday’s match at the MCG.
Although spectators are not technically subject to AFL Player Rule 30 covering the Racial and Religious Vilification Code, the complaint was dealt with, following an AFL investigation, in line with the same process and consistent with the principles that underpin that code.
The victim of the racial vilification incident, Gold Coast Suns player Joel Wilkinson, has asked for the matter to be made public and his name released on this occasion in a bid to educate spectators about what is unacceptable crowd behaviour at AFL matches.
Significantly, in addition to Joel Wilkinson’s complaint to the AFL about this specific incident, his Collingwood opponent Dale Thomas also lodged a complaint with his club about the same incident, as did several Collingwood fans in the vicinity.
A confidential conciliation meeting was conducted at AFL House late yesterday by the AFL's vilification consultant Frank Bassini. Collingwood CEO Gary Pert and AFL Cultural Strategy and Education Manager, Sue Clark, also attended the meeting.
The spectator participated voluntarily in the process, took responsibility for his actions and apologised. In these circumstances, the AFL has accepted the advice of Frank Bassini not to publicly name the spectator. As part of an agreed settlement, it was determined that:
- The spectator will write letters of apology to Joel Wilkinson, the Gold Coast Suns Football Club and the Collingwood Football Club, including those Collingwood members and supporters who were similarly offended by the incident.
- The spectator’s Club membership of 20 years standing has been immediately terminated by the Collingwood Football Club.
- Any reapplication for membership of the Collingwood Football Club will only be considered after the spectator undertakes a racial vilification re-education program.
Mr Anderson commended the courage of Joel Wilkinson in standing up against racial abuse and also the actions of Dale Thomas and those Collingwood fans who refused to let the vilification stand. He also acknowledged and thanked the Gold Coast Suns and Collingwood for their support and actions to quickly resolve the matter.
“The decisive response from Dale Thomas and the Collingwood supporters to this disappointing but isolated incident is incredibly impressive and demonstrates how far we have come as a sporting code,” Mr Anderson said.
“All AFL players deserve and expect the right to compete as hard as they possibly can on the field, free from any form of abuse or harassment.
“This incident and its swift resolution sends a powerful message that racial vilification at the football in any form is offensive and totally unacceptable – not just to the target of the vilification but also to the overwhelming majority of players and supporters.”
Mr Anderson said that with the continuing support of AFL clubs, players and supporters, the AFL would maintain its zero tolerance approach to racial and religious vilification – both on and off the field.
