SammerTX
19-Apr-2011, 02:17 PM
Lance 'Buddy' Franklin cops barrage of racial abuse (http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/lance-buddy-franklin-cops-barrage-of-racial-abuse/story-fn7si01d-1226041242460)
http://resources2.news.com.au/images/2011/04/19/1226041/244378-lance-franklin.jpg
LANCE Franklin was subjected to a constant barrage of racial abuse from a spectator in Tasmania on Saturday.
The male fan called Franklin a "black c---" several times, among other derogatory comments, which finally caused the superstar Hawthorn forward to respond angrily late in the win against West Coast in Launceston.
It's understood the abuse began early in the game and continued throughout the match. Franklin expressed disbelief at the comments directed at him.
The AFL and the AFL Players' Association were alerted to the incident last night, with the league determined to discover the man's identity.
Hawthorn last night confirmed the events and expressed deep disappointment.
Yesterday, the media-shy Franklin told people close to him he preferred not to be central to the racism issue, but was adamant he shouldn't be subjected to racial abuse from spectators.
The Hawks were told of the incident after the game - by a teammate of Franklin's - and spoke at length to Franklin last night.
"It's disappointing that after much positive work has been done to stamp out this kind of behaviour that we still have to deal with the issue of racism in sport," a Hawks spokesman said.
"We don't condone this kind of behaviour at any level of the game."
The Hawks are considering whether to try to identify the spectator.
If located, and found guilty of racism, the man would face police action.
The AFL said last night it was "completely unacceptable" that any player be racially abused.
"We completely condemn any such behaviour towards our players," AFL spokesman Patrick Keane said.
Overt racism has been virtually eradicated from the AFL arena on the back of strong education and vilification laws.
The only action available to the AFL if the spectator was identified would be to revoke club membership.
"Most importantly, you can be subject to police and criminal action," Keane said.
"Any AFL action is superseded by police action because you're bound by the equal opportunity and discrimination laws."
AFLPA chief executive Matt Finnis last night described the abuse as "highly offensive racism".
"While we can't comment on the specific incident, we are determined to ensure that when our members go to work, they work in an environment that is free of this kind of highly offensive racism," he said.
"The AFL and AFLPA have worked diligently to eradicate this kind of unacceptable behaviour and it's disappointing that it could still rear its ugly head in 2011."
http://resources2.news.com.au/images/2011/04/19/1226041/244378-lance-franklin.jpg
LANCE Franklin was subjected to a constant barrage of racial abuse from a spectator in Tasmania on Saturday.
The male fan called Franklin a "black c---" several times, among other derogatory comments, which finally caused the superstar Hawthorn forward to respond angrily late in the win against West Coast in Launceston.
It's understood the abuse began early in the game and continued throughout the match. Franklin expressed disbelief at the comments directed at him.
The AFL and the AFL Players' Association were alerted to the incident last night, with the league determined to discover the man's identity.
Hawthorn last night confirmed the events and expressed deep disappointment.
Yesterday, the media-shy Franklin told people close to him he preferred not to be central to the racism issue, but was adamant he shouldn't be subjected to racial abuse from spectators.
The Hawks were told of the incident after the game - by a teammate of Franklin's - and spoke at length to Franklin last night.
"It's disappointing that after much positive work has been done to stamp out this kind of behaviour that we still have to deal with the issue of racism in sport," a Hawks spokesman said.
"We don't condone this kind of behaviour at any level of the game."
The Hawks are considering whether to try to identify the spectator.
If located, and found guilty of racism, the man would face police action.
The AFL said last night it was "completely unacceptable" that any player be racially abused.
"We completely condemn any such behaviour towards our players," AFL spokesman Patrick Keane said.
Overt racism has been virtually eradicated from the AFL arena on the back of strong education and vilification laws.
The only action available to the AFL if the spectator was identified would be to revoke club membership.
"Most importantly, you can be subject to police and criminal action," Keane said.
"Any AFL action is superseded by police action because you're bound by the equal opportunity and discrimination laws."
AFLPA chief executive Matt Finnis last night described the abuse as "highly offensive racism".
"While we can't comment on the specific incident, we are determined to ensure that when our members go to work, they work in an environment that is free of this kind of highly offensive racism," he said.
"The AFL and AFLPA have worked diligently to eradicate this kind of unacceptable behaviour and it's disappointing that it could still rear its ugly head in 2011."