For a second time this season, our Club has been embarrassed and diminished by the actions of members who have vented racist abuse at opposition players. This abuse is anathema to the values and the spirit of our club. We apologise to the indigenous players of the AFL and to the broader AFL community for this unacceptable and repugnant behaviour.
Reports have come to us since yesterday’s game of unacceptable behaviour involving one and possibly two members of our club. We have sought to make contact with these members today to offer them the opportunity to respond to the allegations, to explain to them the Club’s position and its supporters’ Code of conduct. One attempt has been unsuccessful and the other has led to a situation in which there have been allegations and strong denials.
As such, we have written to these two members detailing what has been alleged against them and inviting them to make contact with us and respond to the allegations. In the first case, we are persuaded that the abuse took place. That person’s membership has been cancelled.
The second case is the subject of on-going investigation and if we are similarly persuaded, membership cancellation will result.
When membership is cancelled in these circumstances, the affected person’s ability to apply for membership or attend club events would require them to convince us that they are remorseful, that they understand the wrongful and hurtful nature of their conduct, and that there is no prospect of a re-occurrence of such conduct.
Our Club stands for tolerance, reconciliation, recognition and harmony. We will make prompt and honest disclosure of any serious breaches of our Code of conduct. Any members or fans who ever feel motivated to behave in this way should know that the main results of their conduct are to damage our club’s reputation and to degrade the experience of coming to the football for all those around them.
To the many good people who work, play and volunteer for this Club, the repetition of this sort of attitude and conduct is simply unacceptable. We know that every sporting Club confronts this issue from time to time but this is particularly distressing to us because it is the second time this season, we have been confronted with such behaviour and it follows a very strong message we made public about racism earlier this year.
Clearly, we need to do more. And we will examine what more we can do to stamp out this disease. Can I finally thank the people who came forward, including our own members to take a stand against racism.
